Page 52 - for PDF DOWNLOAD Copy of 5.23.23 Final Copy of 2023 BUYERSHOME GUIDE

LETS TALK FOUNDATIONS

Measured by a foundation company

Because north Texas is located along the northern part of the
Texas Coastal Plain, the prevalent soil type is a thick, clay
alkaline soil. This highly expansive soil can withstand long
drought periods and also expands in the summer and retracts

in the winter. This soil also has a tendency to hold water, which,
if not drained properly, can lead to costly foundation repair. At
the opposite extreme, some homeowners do not properly
water their lawns. This is evident when the soil is pulling away
from the foundation.

Engineers build homes in the area to account for the
constantly moving soils, but it’s the maintaining of your soil
that can make the difference between extensive foundation
work and minimal work. There are several visible symptoms of
foundation problems. Signs that may indicate foundation
movement may include:

Exterior Signs of Foundation Issues
Cracks in the brick and mortar
Separation of brick or siding from windows or doors
Chimney shifts or pulling away from walls
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Interior Signs of Foundation Issues
Cracks in the sheetrock over doors and windows
Wrinkling or separating sheetrock tape
Nails popping out of sheetrock near the ceiling
Doors that won’t close properly or with uneven gaps
Sloping Floors

While not every crack or separation is a definite indicator that
the foundation has moved, we recommend any time these are
present that you have a structural engineer evaluate the home.
Texas law also requires sellers to disclose all known issues with
the property