It’s not uncommon for
homeowners in Houston to experience foundation problems. These problems most often occur because homes are constructed on soil composed of clay and sand, which are less stable and supportive than hard rock. In fact, Texas ranks rather on high when it comes to states with the most home foundation problems. Fortunately, even extremely severe foundation problems can be resolved with expert evaluation and timely repairs. Here, we’ll examine some of the most common Houston foundation problems and how to remedy these situations.
Why Do Houston Homes Experience Foundation Problems?
Although the abundance of clay and sand soil are often primary factors in Houston foundation problems, they aren’t the only problems. The climate and weather conditions can also impact Houston homes. In recent years, Houston has experienced catastrophic flooding. The waterlogged soil can shift under the impact of flooding and heavy rains. This shifting can cause substantial foundation
problems for a home. The Texas climate with its extreme heat and cooler winters can affect the moisture content in the soil which can also play a role in foundation problems. A cold winter followed up by a very hot, dry summer season can affect the stability of soil in Houston as in other areas of Texas.
Floods, Rains, and Your Foundation
One of the most common problems that many Houston homeowners are facing today are cracks that develop in their foundation during the wet season. When it rains heavily or floods, the clay in the Houston soil will absorb the water and expand. This expansion can cause cracks to develop in a home’s foundation. Referred to as “heaving,” these cracks that form in association with moisture often cause the formation of diagonal cracks; these cracks can undermine the stability of a home and often require immediate repairs in order to prevent further instability from occurring.
Experienced home contractors like
Aftermath Structural Repair that specialize in Houston foundation repair can evaluate the cracks in your foundation. Once they determine why the cracks are occurring, they can develop a plan to address and repair the situation. In some cases, our contractor may advise stabilizing the clay soil with injections of polymer. Not only does this help to improve the soil, but it renders it with greater water-resistant properties so that there is less risk of further damage to the home’s foundation in the future.
Unfortunately, heaving can sometimes cause disastrous instability. In such cases, our technicians may recommend draining your soil and completely rebuilding your home’s foundation. Although this is a major repair, it will allow you to protect your home investment and maintain your home’s foundational integrity.
Seepage and Your Foundation
Seepage problems are much like problems related to flooding and heavy rains. However, seepage that gets into your home’s interior can lead to serious problems for the soil as well as your home’s joints and edges. Water in any form whether exterior flooding or interior seepage can necessitate Houston foundation repairs. Unless addressed quickly, seepage problems do tend to worsen over time. Keep in mind that seepage problems can lead to major structural issues that involve sinking or even structural collapse.
The key to protect your foundation and home structure from seepage is to pinpoint where leaks are occurring and seal them. Waterproofing is a strategy that many homeowners are embracing. By
waterproofing your foundation, you can block seepage and safeguard your structure. Of course, if seepage has already caused damage, it’s important to contact a firm like Aftermath Structural Repair so we can inspect your foundation and recommend the ideal Houston foundation repairs to restore the integrity of your home’s supports.
Dry Conditions and Your Foundation
Although moisture can wreak havoc on a home’s foundation and the soil beneath it, the dry season can also harm your home’s foundation. A lack of moisture, in other words, can also negatively impact the clay in the soil beneath your house. Without adequate moisture, the clay can become dry and will contract. As the clay contracts, it leaves voids within the soil. These voids reduce the support for your home. The result is cracks in your foundation.
Once the voids begin to occur, the wet season will not remedy them. On the contrary, the voids can loosen the soil. When the rains do come, they can wash some of the loose soil away, which can lead to the development of more voids. Not surprisingly, your foundation can develop signs of the strain at the reduced amount of support which show up as cracks.
Our technicians can assess the soil beneath your home to determine if voids are present. For instance, we can employ ground penetrating radar which will indicate the presence of voids. If voids are found, we can recommend void filling solutions for your foundation repair. This is a common repair that involves the injection of a
polyurethane foam beneath the home’s foundation. The foam expands and, as it does so, fills in the voids left behind by the contracting clay in the soil. In short, the foam allows us to create more stable soil that can more adequately support the home’s foundation and overall structure.
Home Settling
All homes settle, but it’s a process that can take years. When designing and building homes, engineers will make adjustments to account for eventual settling, but these adjustments may not be adequate for just how the house settles. Settling is associated with various factors. For instance, areas of the soil beneath your home may contract or erode at different rates. As it does and your home settles atop the affected soil, cracks can develop.
When cracks appear, it’s always important to consult structural experts to determine the cause. If your home’s cracks appear to be caused by settling, technicians will assess the situation and recommend custom solutions based on their findings. In some cases, the best Houston foundation repairs for your situation might necessitate structural repairs like the replacement of floors or the addition of floor supports. At Aftermath Structural Repairs, we base our repair plan on the home in question. Each situation is different and will require tailored solutions.
Tree Roots
The shade of a tree can provide relief against the relentless Houston sun in summertime, but tree roots can be a serious nemesis to home foundations. Tree roots can range under the home in their constant search for water. They can cause the foundation to buckle and crack. If tree roots have caused your foundation slab to lift as they sometimes do, you need Houston foundation repair service to prevent your foundation from destabilizing.
If tree roots have encroached on your home’s foundation, you may wish to install root barriers to prevent further damage to your foundation. After making repairs, it may be wise to remove the offending tree so that it’s roots can’t do any additional damage.
What Are Some Common Signs of House Foundation Problems?
Unless something major occurs like your home’s floorings or walls develop buckling or cracking, you may not know that your home’s foundation is vulnerable to a problem. However, the sooner you can contend with a foundation repair, the better. Addressing foundation cracks quickly can prevent additional damage from occurring–and may even prevent more substantial damage like sinking or structural collapse.
If you notice the presence of some of these issues, you should invite a technician from Aftermath Structural Repairs to evaluate the situation. Some of these issues to note are:
- Diagonal cracks
- Cracks that run across the concrete
- Buckling of your flooring
- Uneven door and window frames
- Visible gaps beneath windows
- Leaning Chimney
- Doors that scrape the floor when opened or closed
- Sagging walls
- Uneven floors
If you notice these issues, you should allow Aftermath Structural Repairs to investigate.
My Chimney Is Leaning. Is This a Sign of a Foundation Problem?
If your chimney is leaning or has a crack, it could be because of a foundation issue. Cracks and chimney leaning often occur because the foundation has experienced movement. When the home settles or the foundation experiences other problems, the shift can cause cracks to develop in the mortar of the chimney. Our technicians view chimney leaning as a red flag for a foundation problem.
I’m Experiencing Landscaping Problems. Should I Worry about My Foundation?
If you are witnessing soil problems near your home’s foundation, the problems could certainly extend to the soil beneath your house–and that’s a problem for your foundation. The soil around your house should be well-compacted and dry. If you note the presence of standing water or experience even seemingly minor issues like small landslides or a bit of soil erosion, the problem may not be as minimal as you think. There are many different methods to tackle these situations that will enhance your soil and help you protect your home’s foundation.
If you are concerned about the appearance of cracks or other signs of a foundation problem, contact Aftermath Structural Repairs for our high-quality Houston foundation repairs. We provide accurate inspection services of home foundations. If there’s a problem with your foundation or structure, we can recommend the ideal repair to correct the situation and protect your home. Call us to learn more about our custom solutions
Cost of Foundation Repair
It’s never fun to hear that you have
foundation damage. Your thoughts likely immediately jump to “how will I pay for this?”. This is a natural reaction to any necessary home improvement project, but just like roof repair or basement flooding control,
foundation repair is a critical task that can’t be overlooked –
for your family’s own safety.
Just remember that failing to address foundation issues sooner rather than later can result in much larger bills later on. You’re better off getting these problems taken care of now before they get worse and result in higher bills for you.
Costs will vary according to your specific Houston home and foundation problem.
But overall, most homeowners will pay about
$4,100 to repair foundation issues, according to
Home Advisor. If your repair involves something major like installing hydraulic piers, this can cost up to
$10,000 or more. For minor cracks, you’re looking at a lower cost of about
$500. The typical homeowner will pay between
$1,800 and $6,500 for foundation repair – a small price to pay for peace of mind.
