The Texas Homeowner’s Guide to a Healthy Foundation

By theadmin

Flooding. Extreme heat. Shifting soil. Texas home foundations have it rough. With our climate extremes and unforgiving topography, it’s no wonder Texas is one of the leading states in foundation damage.

Foundation issues often go unnoticed, deteriorating beneath your feet without your noticing until severe damage is already done. Unfortunately, these issues tend to worsen over time. That’s why it’s critical to understand the Texas home foundation types and inspect your home for warning signs of foundation damage. The faster you catch the issue, the easier it is to repair.

What’s Holding Up Your Home?

Concrete Slab: The majority of modern homes in Texas are built on concrete slabs, which are 4 to 8 inches thick and reinforced with steel rods and drainage pipes.
Benefits: Concrete foundations are cheap and easy to build, and with no airspace between your home and foundation, there’s no room for mold or termite infestations.
Risks: It’s difficult to repair leaks and damaged lines embedded in the slab, making it especially susceptible to flooding. Lack of space also means it is prone to overheating, which may cause cracks.

Basement: Most Texas homes do not have basements, especially in the eastern, western, and southern regions. Why? The soil’s surface is so close to the water table that basements are at risk of flooding.
Benefits: Basements mean additional square footage in your home, plus natural ventilation that keeps them cool during hot summers.
Risks: Flooding, moisture, mold, and costly upkeep.

Crawl Space: As its name implies, a crawl space foundation is just high enough to crawl under — typically about 3 or 4 feet tall. You’ll find these foundations in areas prone to flooding and where the soil is difficult to dig through. Concrete pillars support the home above.
Benefits: Crawl spaces make for very durable foundations, especially in areas with a high groundwater level. The ventilation also offers a cooling effect during hot summers.
Risks: That same ventilation you love during the summer makes for difficult heating conditions in winter. Water and moisture may build up, leading to mold. Make sure your crawl space is insulated and well-maintained to keep critters and termites at bay.

Telltale Signs of Foundation Woes

Foundation problems can be expensive. Left untreated, they can lead to serious damage to your home (and your wallet). If you spot these signs, call a foundation repair contractor to inspect the damage ASAP.

Cracks in Walls and Floors: In Texas, the weather changes by the minute. Sometimes, your home’s foundation can barely keep up. Rapid shrinking and expansion may cause the foundation to split, pulling apart your walls or floors with it.

Difficult Doors: Are your doors sticking or dragging? A clear sign of a foundation issue in your home is when interior doors stick at the top; exterior doors will drag at the bottom. Faulty doors are a safety hazard and — when it’s an exterior door — a home-security hazard. Don’t delay this repair.

Sagging or Uneven Floors: Sloping, sagging, and squeaking floors could indicate a settling foundation. Uneven flooring is a hazard to home inhabitants and guests as well — especially children, elderly, and physically challenged people. All the more reason to get a repair quote quickly and update your liability coverage.

Counters and Cabinets Gone Askew: Feel like you’re standing sideways? If your countertops suddenly look uneven or your cabinets are separating from their anchoring wall, chances are your foundation is shifting.

Moisture and Mold: Water is wonderful — but not when it’s stagnating under your house and stinking of mildew. Excessive moisture in your crawl space can rot the wooden beams under your house and attract termites, carpenter ants, and other house-eating pests. An effective drainage system is imperative to keep your basement or crawl space nice and airy.

Call your Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent to review your property insurance policy and ensure protection in case of foundation problems. They’ll walk you through all the details from the ground up.

Click here to learn about other potential liabilities that may be hiding on your property.