Signs of Foundation Issues

Learn What Indicates Foundation Problems So You Can Stop Them.

DFW area homes with slab or pier and beam foundations are frequently affected by soil, volatile temperatures, water and more. Cracks multiply over time and settling or heaving may occur. If you have concerns, request a free foundation evaluation.

Common Causes of Foundation Issues

Understanding the causes of foundation problems is crucial in preventing these issues from occurring in the first place. Homeowners can explore the various causes of foundation issues. Here are some of the critical common factors contributing to foundation problems:

• Soil Movement and Settlement: The natural movement of soil can cause cracks and damage your home’s foundation. This occurs more often in regions with expansive clay soils; soil movement can lead to foundation settlement. Soil naturally expands and contracts due to moisture changes, making the foundation shift and settle unevenly, causing various issues.
• Poor Construction Practices: Incompetent construction techniques, inadequate site preparation, and subpar materials can compromise the integrity of a building’s foundation from the outset. These practices tend to increase the risk of future issues.
• Water Damage: This factor can also come from poor planning and subpar construction practices. Excess moisture from rain, flooding, or plumbing leaks can saturate the soil around a foundation. The amount of water pressure tends to weaken the foundation walls and, over time, lead to cracks and structural damage.
• Tree Roots and Vegetation: The roots of large trees and dense vegetation can absorb moisture from the soil near a foundation, causing the earth to shrink and settle unevenly. This soil movement can result in differential settlement, eventually leading to the development of foundation issues.

Understanding these contributing factors is the first step toward proactively safeguarding your home’s foundation. Looking for potential signs and addressing them beforehand enables you to take preventive measures. You can work with foundation repair professionals to have your property inspected and address potential problems before they escalate.

What are the Signs of Foundation Issues in Dallas, Fort Worth?

It’s crucial to be aware of foundation problem signs and symptoms so that you can take action and perform the necessary repairs. Some of the factors to keep in mind include the following:

• Exterior Brick Cracks: Exterior brick cracks can indicate a foundation problem when they appear in a stair-step pattern or are wider at the top than the bottom, which suggests uneven foundation settling and affects structural stability.
• Slab Cracks: Wide or uneven slab cracks are critical signs of foundation issues to look out for. When accompanied by sinking or heaving, it indicates structural problems that require inspection and potential repairs.
• Ceiling Gaps: Ceiling gaps may signal foundation problems if they appear alongside signs like wall cracks or sloping floors.
• Nails Popping Out of Walls: Nails suddenly coming out of drywall can be easily repaired and seem harmless. However, notice it occurring all over your wall or happens repeatedly. It can be a sign of foundation soil movement or other structural issues.
• Floor Fractures: Floor fractures in a home or commercial building can indicate foundation problems when they form diagonal or zigzag patterns. These fractures indicate underlying structural stress, one of the critical signs of foundation issues.
• Tile Cracks: Tile cracks can indicate many potential floor or wall issues. However, combined with the other symptoms mentioned here, they could tell a potential problem with your home’s foundation.
• Sloping Floors: Sloping floors can indicate an uneven or settling foundation. This issue indicates that one part of the foundation has settled more than another section, which can be caused by various soil conditions such as soil composition and moisture levels. Expansive clay soils tend to shrink or expand depending on the soil’s moisture.
• Bouncing Floors: The floors of your home should be steady and firm. If you feel like some sections are bouncy when you walk on floor surfaces, it can indicate a hollow area underneath. In addition, when floorboards start to feel spongy or soft, it can indicate termite damage, which will require careful treatment of the floors and the foundation.
• Doors That Don’t Close Properly: Sometimes, particular doors consistently stick or become misaligned, indicating a structural shift. Inspect the hinges to see if they’ve gotten worn out. However, suppose the door’s structure is fine. In that case, this issue can be one of the foundation problem signs, especially when combined with other issues.
• Drywall Cracks: Your home’s walls are designed to be durable. However, when cracks begin to form suddenly, this can indicate a faulty foundation that requires attention.
• A Leaning and Cracking Chimney: Cracks and a leaning chimney indicate uneven settling or shifting of the underlying soil, which can mean the foundation is settling unevenly. It can cause visible damage to the chimney and is one of the telltale signs that the foundation needs a professional inspection to prevent further issues.
• Ground Sinking Around the House: If you notice the ground around your house starts to sink, it is a sign of water leakage and potential drainage issues. Foundation specialists will check your home’s drainage system, plug any leaks, or replace damaged lines.
• Gaps Around Windows and Doors: When you detect gaps around windows and doors, they can be a sign of a potential movement of your home’s foundation, impacting the frame of a house. When the frame gets distorted, gaps appear between doors and window frames. Further, these gaps may result in drafts reducing your home’s energy inefficiency.
• Recurring Drainage Issues: Drainage problems may be caused by many factors, such as problems with your sewer lines or old pipes. However, suppose the symptom persists even after trying different repairs and solutions. In that case, professionals will be prompted to check the stability of your home’s foundation.
• Sagging Floors: Sagging floors can indicate a loss of structural support beneath the flooring, which can cause floors to sink or sag in certain areas.
• Weed Growth Near the Foundation: Having a sparse weed outgrowth is fine, but it can be a bad indicator when weeds get clumped together very close to your home’s foundation. Weeds grow where there’s moisture, and when they start growing on the foundation itself, your home’s structural integrity can be compromised.
• Mold and Mildew in Crawl Spaces: When crawl spaces begin to grow mold and mildew, there is moisture buildup, and water seeps into the available spaces underneath. The damp environment becomes conducive to mold and mildew growth. Foundation repair specialists can improve the ventilation in these crawl spaces and prevent further damage.
• Cabinets That Don’t Hang Properly: Loose cabinetry can signify a problem with your home’s foundation and walls. This issue occurs when the structural framework of your home’s walls experiences movement, affecting the alignment of cabinets. It can also be a sign that the walls are no longer level, which can be a safety issue for the home’s occupants.
• Rotten Wood, Piers, and Beams: Rotten piers and beams can indicate a bad foundation. Aside from poor construction practices, these signs can also point to humidity in low-lying areas of your home, such as your basement and crawl spaces. Natural disasters like flooding can also affect the condition of wooden structures underneath your home.

Why It Is Crucial to Address Foundation Issues Promptly

It’s important to address issues that could be affecting your concrete slab foundation or other structure. Have it repaired as soon as you notice damage. Here’s why:

(1) Foundation costs multiply as foundation problems increase. This is true in Dallas, Fort Worth and other areas. Signs of trouble on pier and beam foundations should also be identified, too. They could indicate that your house is sinking and that foundation piers or block and base supports are needed. Or, it could be that wooden beams in the crawl space need to be replaced.

(2) Homeowners who don’t take action generally see a loss in their property value.

(3) Foundation damage leads to hazardous conditions such as uneven floors, large gaps and more.

(4) It’s difficult to sell a house that has been damaged.

Methods of Foundation Repair

When it comes to addressing foundation issues, professional foundation repair specialists commonly employ several methods. At HD Foundations, our team tailors proven solutions specific to the problems you’re experiencing.

Here are some of the common methods we employ to resolve the various signs of foundation issues:

• Foundation Underpinning: This process involves strengthening and stabilizing the foundation by extending its support deeper into the soil. Our team uses various methods, such as helical piers or push piers, lifting and leveling the foundation, and providing additional support to secure your home.
• Slab Jacking: This solution is best suited for concrete slab foundations. Using this technique, our team injects a mixture under the slab to lift it back into its original position. We employ this method to effectively address any settling or sinking issues on the foundation.
• Drainage and Moisture Control: Preventing further damage is just as crucial as repairing existing issues. For this reason, our on-site crew installs proper drainage systems on your property. These installations may include French drains and sump pumps. We can help manage any water buildup around the foundation and mitigate future problems from reoccurring with these measures in place.

Homeowners are advised against using DIY methods for these solutions since they require professional know-how. Not everyone will have the tools and equipment necessary to repair and restore the structural foundations of a home or building.

Hire Experienced Contractors

Foundation repair is a complex process, requiring specialized equipment and tools. It also demands the expertise of experienced professionals to get the job done correctly. When you hire a reputable contractor, you ensure that the appropriate methods are selected to address the issue you’re experiencing with your home’s foundation.

At HD Foundations, our team ensures that the work is executed correctly using tools tailored to the specific issue with your home’s foundation. Our team has in-depth knowledge and expertise to assess the severity of the problem and determine the most effective and cost-efficient solutions.

Costs and Factors Affecting Foundation Repair

The cost of foundation repair can vary widely depending on several factors. The extent of damage, the chosen repair method, and the region’s geographic characteristics all play a role in determining expenses. For instance, the average estimated cost to repair a slab foundation for a home will range from $3,500-6,500. However, more severe damage can cost up to $10,000.

Get quotes from qualified contractors to understand the range of costs for your specific situation. Remember that addressing foundation issues is usually more cost-effective than waiting for the problems to worsen.

To save time and money, examine your house for signs of foundation repair issues. If your home’s structure appears to be compromised, contact the specialists from HD Foundations to get an accurate estimate.

Address Foundation Issues With the Help of Qualified Specialists

Call for a no-cost evaluation. We’ll tell you what to do about foundation problems on slabs and pier and beam homes. Remember: Signs of issues are generally apparent. If your house needs foundation service, schedule a free foundation repair estimate from HD Foundations online today. Or, just phone us. We’re contractors that service the entire DFW metroplex.