Common Signs of Foundation Damage in Frisco Homes
Foundation issues often start small, but over time they can lead to serious structural concerns. If you’re starting to see cracks or notice changes inside your Frisco home, there’s a good chance it could be related to foundation movement.
These warning signs are especially common in homes built on Frisco’s clay soil, which expands and contracts with changes in moisture. That constant shifting puts stress on your slab and may require professional attention.
Here are some of the most common signs that your home may need foundation repair service:
-Cracks in drywall, bricks, floors, or ceilings
-Doors and windows that stick, won’t close fully, or appear uneven
-Gaps above doors or between walls and ceilings
-Floors that feel sloped or bouncy underfoot
-Separation at trim, molding, or freeze boards
-Expansion joints between bricks pulling apart
-Standing water or poor drainage near your slab foundation
Not every crack or creak is a sign of serious foundation damage, but if you’re seeing more than one of these symptoms, it’s worth getting it checked.
Our Frisco foundation repair team offers free inspections and honest feedback to help you understand what’s happening under your home. Whether it’s a simple concrete repair or something that may require steel pier installation, we’ll recommend only the foundation repair solutions you truly need.
Common Causes of Foundation Problems in Frisco:
Dry Weather:
Unusually dry and also wet conditions can contribute to soil changes which can lead to foundation issues. In dry conditions, contracting soil can cause cracks to develop as the soil types in Frisco have a high concentration of clay. The pressure that is exerted on your concrete slab from settling can lead to cracks.
Some house settling should be considered normal, and small cracks are not always a reason to become concerned. However, if you begin to notice changes in door jams, windows, or cracks in your drywall, there is a good chance that your property is experiencing a foundation problem that may require expert repair.
Wet Weather: Affects The Area Around Your Foundation
Wet weather creates a different dynamic which can also adversely affect your soil. When abnormal amounts of water pool around your foundation, the ground saturation may cause water to find a channel pathway below the interior portion of your concrete slab. As soils compact, the elevation and grading of your home or office is changed and this loss of support can cause your slab to lose its’ original level elevation.
Even slight changes in the wrong places can negatively impact your property, and should be dealt with promptly if you suspect an issue. Prevention is also something that should be taken seriously as well. If you notice wet areas near your foundation, consider installing a proper drainage system that includes either area or french drains. This will channel water out to the street, and away from your foundation.
A simple fix like this can be a great “insurance policy” against otherwise serious issues that could develop down the road.
Maturing Trees: Water Depletion and Root Systems
Another factor that can lead to foundation problems in Frisco is maturing trees. If your home or commercial property has a large tree nearby, it’s possible that the root system can cause foundation issues in two ways. First, growing trees require lots of water. Because the root system is responsible for this intake, water can be depleted from the soil surrounding your foundation. (Depending upon where the trees are located, and which direction the root system is growing.)
If the depleted moisture changes the composition of the soil, this resulting settlement can cause the foundation to sink- even inches in some cases. Another way trees can impact your slab is when roots take a wrong turn when searching for water.
Even though concrete is extremely hard, roots can exert upward pressure which leads to cracking, separation, and eventually problems. While this can be bad news if it’s too late, the good news is that root barrier systems can be installed to prevent this from happening in the first place. So now that you understand some of the causes of foundation problems in Frisco, let’s discuss some of the solutions.