Your home’s foundation will naturally crack and settle over time. In some cases, these cracks and imperfections are merely cosmetic. But in others, they’re signs of major structural damage that needs to be taken care of to make sure your home remains a safe place to live.
The best way to determine the integrity of your home’s foundation is to have us come and do a foundation check. During a foundation check, we’ll look at the condition of your home’s foundation and determine if any repairs need to be done. If we notice major damage, we’ll suggest possible solutions for taking care of it in our report.
If you aren’t sure whether you need a foundation check, walk around the perimeter of your Dallas Fort Worth, Texas home and look for expanding cracks, hairline cracks, and bowing walls. If you notice any of these signs, have us come for an inspection to look further into these issues.
Our professionals understand the mechanics of foundations and the best way to maintain their integrity. We will be open and honest about the condition of your foundation and provide you with as much information as possible, so you feel confident taking any needed next steps.
Schedule a foundation inspection with us before you sell your home or even if you’re just concerned about the integrity of your home’s foundation. To learn more about what we look for during a foundation check and to schedule your inspection, contact us at PTJ Home Defenders today.
Hairline cracks are pretty common as concrete cures and settles, especially on McKinney’s clay soil. Wide cracks, cracks that keep growing, or stair-step cracks in brick are a different story. Those deserve a foundation check to see if something bigger is going on.
Keep the soil around your foundation evenly moist, make sure gutters and grading send water away from the house, and fix plumbing leaks fast. Texas clay soil causes the most trouble when it swings between soaked and bone-dry. A little consistency goes a long way.
A foundation check is a quicker, more focused look at signs of settling and movement, while a full inspection digs deeper with floor elevation readings and a detailed report. In McKinney, where clay soil keeps foundations on the move, many homeowners start with a check to decide whether a full inspection is worth it.
Yes, in most cases. During long dry spells, Texas clay soil shrinks and pulls away from the slab, leading to settling and cracks. A soaker hose placed 12 to 18 inches from the foundation keeps the soil stable without making it soggy.
Get one any time you notice new cracks, sticking doors, or uneven floors. A long drought or a very wet season in McKinney is another good trigger, since both can shift the soil under your home. Plenty of homeowners like a quick check every year or two for peace of mind.
FAQs reviewed by Pat Evers, Certified Master Thermographer and Owner of PTJ Home Defenders.
At PTJ Home Defenders, we perform foundation checks in the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas area, including McKinney, Plano, Frisco, Allen, Richardson, Carrollton, Fairview, Celina, Prosper, Highland Village, Flower Mound, and Coppell.
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