Homeowners in the Dallas, Fort Worth metroplex may notice their doors and windows not closing properly or shutting completely. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including the weather. It can also indicate more serious problems that have to do with your home’s foundation. The changing seasons or weather patterns oftentimes brings this issue to light, but it’s important to understand the differences between weather-related (temporary) sticking windows and doors, and more permanent, and possibly costly, issues pertaining to your foundation.
How Does Weather Affect Your Doors & Windows?
You may notice your doors and windows not closing correctly, or sticking once closed only during certain times of the year. This is particularly true in places like Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie and surrounding cities. This may have to do with the humidity level of the air, which can cause doors and windows to either expand or contract. Moisture can make wooden doors expand, become stuck or impossible to even open. However, other environmental factors may have something to do with these shifts as well, including:
- Erosion
- Soil contraction and expansion (see expansive clay soils, very prevalent in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex)
- Vegetation growth
- Hydrostatic pressure
The majority of these changes are not permanent and do fluctuate based on outdoor weather patterns. If these issues persist, it may suggest a more permanent issue with your home’s foundation that may need to be evaluated and repaired by an accredited foundation repair company. Be sure to identify what type of soil your house is built on, and prune/plant appropriate landscaping & vegetation outside your home in order to anticipate and avoid these issues. If you do find that your house is built on expansive clay soil, you may need to undertake routine maintenance, such as watering your foundation periodically, to offset potential damage.
How To Diagnose If Sticking Doors & Windows Are Due to Your Foundation?
In short, it’s not easy for someone who isn’t a foundation repair professional to accurately evaluate whether your foundation is the cause for doors and windows sticking, and can quickly grow into a very costly fix if diagnosed incorrectly. Foundation damage is a serious issue for a household, and you should rely on the most knowledgeable individuals to provide a recommendation.
When dealing with issues pertaining to your home, whether it’s electric, plumbing, or foundation work, it’s always important to have a professional not only conduct the work needed to repair the issue, but also diagnose it as well. Every home is different, with a different construction and history, and it’s crucial to rely on professionals to help diagnose problems that could possibly grow into more costly issues as time goes on.
For the best foundation repair services in the Dallas metroplex, including Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, Irving and surrounding areas, trust HD Foundations to correctly diagnose and repair your home’s foundation issues. Contact HD Foundations today to schedule an appointment.
