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The foundation is probably the least exciting part of your home. After all, there are plenty of attractive things to focus on like making your bedroom an inviting haven, bringing your kitchen to life, and investing in your bathroom to achieve an ultimate relaxation experience after a long day at work. However, what you may not know is that your home’s foundation deserves the highest focus, and investing in it is one of the easiest ways to increase your home’s value.

Whether you are a buyer or a seller who just discovered a foundation issue during an inspection, here is what you should know about foundations and foundation repair.

What Is The Importance Of A Solid Foundation?

According to construction experts, a deep and strong foundation is a very critical element of a building and plays three major roles in the construction of a building structure.

• Providing support- A foundation that is built to the very best standards provides proper support to keep a structure. A foundation also provides support to the soil that may be lacking its inherent structural support.
• Protecting the structure from calamities– If you are in an area prone to natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, a strong foundation that meets all safety standards will protect you during a disaster.
• Keeping the ground moisture from weakening the structure- Foundations act like foundation boats that float on water tables and prevent water and moisture from seeping in and weakening the building.

What Are Some Signs Of Foundation Damage?

Foundation issues can lead to more problems if not addressed. It is, therefore, important to ensure you know all signs of foundation damage before you buy or sell a house. Below are some indicators of potential foundation problems.

• Signs of water or wetness in the basement or around the perimeters of your home
• Cracked drywall
• Large gaps or ruptures between walls and the ceiling
• Jamming doors
• Cracks in the exterior concrete
• Windows that used to open and close suddenly begin to stick
• Hairlines and cracks at an L-shaped section
• Stair-step cracks in the joints

Ensure you check outside to see if your foundation is straight. A bulge or curve on your foundation could signal that your foundation has shifted, and you should do something about it. You should also examine your concrete to see if there is a sign of weakness. Never ignore a foundation issue since such issues mean that the future of your home is uncertain.

Can Foundation Issues Be Resolved?

Yes! Foundation issues can be resolved. Don’t just sit and wait for seasonal and climatic disasters to further damage your foundation. Call our certified technicians to help you save your house before the problem gets worse. Our experts are knowledgeable and have years of experience in foundation repair. We welcome the opportunity to discuss our portfolios, products, and services and ideas on how we can solve your foundation problems.

Can You Sell A House With Foundation Issues?

As a seller, your goal is to ensure you get the highest possible price for your house. To achieve this, you need to make sure you deal with all structural problems before you invite potential buyers. Ensure all the foundation errors are solved because this will significantly increase the value of the house. Foundation problems are easy to repair, and we can do it for you at a reasonable price.

Should I Buy A House With Foundation Problems?

Yes, you can. If you love the house, foundation issues should not stop you from buying it. However, you should be careful and ensure you examine and identify all the foundation issues and see if they are repairable or not. A salesperson will say anything to convince you to buy the house. They will tell you the foundation is in good shape even when it’s not. Do not take their word for it. If you can’t tell if a foundation is good or not, you can call our technicians, and they will help you identify all foundation issues and advise you on whether they can be repaired or not.

It’s true that normal settling can cause foundation cracks. But don’t be too quick to jump to conclusions. If you identify a foundation error, ensure you have it solved as quickly as possible. If you notice signs of foundation trouble, stay on top of the problem and contact G.L.Hunt for a free estimate. We offer quality and reliable foundation repairs in San Antonio, Dallas foundation repair, and Fort Worth foundation repair services with a commitment to customer service and a job done right.

Homeownership is atop the list of items on the ever-popular American Dream. Out of more than 320 million American citizens, there are about 125 million households, leaving only 10 million of the 135 total houses left unused. A majority of these 125,000,000+households either outright own their home or pay monthly mortgage installments against them, rather than renting them out.

Homeownership is associated with many responsibilities first-time buyers fail to think about. If you buy a home, you’ll quickly realize you are the one responsible for replacing failing appliances, buying new light bulbs, paying for floor damage – and, albeit it’s not something anyone wants to think about – potentially losing your entire investment if it succumbs to environmental damage like fire or flood. Another important obligations homeowners should always attend to is the condition of their living space’s foundation. Without a strong foundation, many problems result, potentially resulting in repairs costing more than homes themselves.

Without further ado, here are 10 reasons every homeowner should place the welfare of their home’s foundation at the top of their to-do list.

1. Earth Never Stops Moving

A major phenomenon affecting home foundations is a movement within the Earth. Without delving into a full-fledged geology lecture, the ground constantly moves due to never-ending geothermal activity within the mantle, filled with molten rock that has flown and will continue to flow for billions of years. As such, foundation repairs should be handled immediately, as prolonging repairs can only further damage.

2. Gravity Is Inescapable

While we’re all thankful for gravity, this natural phenomenon continually pulls objects closer to the earth’s core. Gravity affects heavier objects proportionally, causing homes to rapidly – in geological terms, at least – sink into the ground. Similarly to #1, waiting can only hurt.

3. Beating around the bush costs more

If your home has a settling foundation, staving off repairs will make them more costly than if you hadn’t waited so long. No homeowner wants to take on the expensive task of foundation repair, although there’s no better time than now to do so.

4. It takes longer, too

As foundation problems get worse, housing components continually lose their structural integrity. For example, foundation issues that sprout up 24 hours ago may only become evident through an unsightly crack in the wall. Conversely, waiting for 24 months may cause plumbing to crack, tiles to break, multiple walls to split, and much more.

5. Inherently related to home value

Every real estate agent and home inspector worth their salt keeps their eyes peeled for a settling foundation. If you advertise your home without foundation issues, you might take hits to your reputation, or be negotiated down significantly. Repairing foundation problems will undoubtedly raise your home’s value, making it such a worthwhile investment.

6. They preface other repairs

If your home needs several repairs, attending to them first may end up costing you more money. Failing foundations worsen literally every aspect of homes, making it necessary to repair them first.

7. Extensive damage can render homes useless

Contacting foundation repair companies is always a good idea. However, these experts may recommend not to bother with the repair because its costs might exceed that of your home. It’s common that foundation issues leave homes unfit to populate, potentially causing the death of residents.

8. Lenders don’t like bad foundations

If a home with an outstanding mortgage collapses, its owners are unlikely to continue making payments. As such, many lenders stay away from homes with foundation problems.

9. Foundation damage = Water damage

Cracks often occur in homes with bad foundations. Groundwater and rain runoff can seep into cracks, causing problems even worse than foundation issues themselves.

10. Energy concerns

Foundation settling and shifting cause cracks. These unwanted openings can cause unwanted air to flow in and conditioned air out, making electricity and gas bills rise unnecessarily.

Damaged foundations don’t repair themselves. If you notice signs of foundation trouble, stay on top of the problem and contact G.L.Hunt for a free estimate. We offer quality and reliable foundation repairs in San Antonio, Dallas foundation repair services, and Fort Worth foundation repair with a commitment to customer service and a job done right.

A home is the most valuable asset most people own. As such, no one wishes to lose his or her home comfort due to structural problems. The house must maintain the highest structural integrity, and when compromised, you need to know the exact action that will avert the problem.

The structural uprightness of your home lies squarely on the foundation. The foundation of a house is usually made of concrete that is poured on steel. With time, the concrete may start to crack due to settling. All buildings, once constructed tend to settle at some point due to the gravity that exerts pressure on the house foundation. Once this happens, you could have foundation settling or foundational problems. This is why we will set out to explain to you the difference between foundational settling and foundational problems.

What is Foundational Settling?

The term “settling” in buildings refers to the gradual and natural changes that occur in the foundation. These changes could be a result of the weather or time. House settling analysis needs to be done by contractors by giving a close look at the soil type where a building is being put up. Once the soil analysis is done, an estimate of the time a building can take before it completely settles.

A new home may naturally sink into the ground after some duration. If there happens to be inappropriate soil preparation, new homes may be at risk of sinking. We will advise you to avoid constructing your house during extreme weather conditions, such as a heavy downpour or during a drought. For instance, someone can build a house during a rainy season that comes after a rainy summer on clay soil. The clay soil expands and gets worse during the preceding drought period. This can lead to the house sinking further in a short period.

Foundation settlement takes place in two major steps. There are the initial settlement and the ongoing settlement stages. The first stage occurs within the first few years while ongoing settlement comes later, due to other factors. The ongoing settlement should be easier to handle since it can be monitored.

Soil expansion and contraction are the two major causes of foundation settling. According to the American Society of civil engineers, about a quarter of Americans have experienced foundation settlement. We can offer you solutions to this problem within Texas in San Antonio, Dallas, and Fort Worth.

Foundation related problems

These are problems that occur when there is an extreme foundation settling. In most cases, foundation problems lead to a compromise of the affected building. The following characteristics exhibit a true foundational problem:
• Visible cracks in the foundation: Cracks that can be easily noticed reveal a problem in the foundation that requires urgent repair
• Wall cracks: cracks along the wall imply impending foundation problems. These cracks are usually observed along the window and doors or below the mantles. Jagged cracks running at an angle are an indication of building compromise.
• Horizontal cracks in the foundation: a crack of this nature is a result of hydrostatic pressure building up at the foundation of the house.
• Sticking doors and windows: if your doors and windows tend to be more difficult to open or close, there could be a possibility that the foundation has moved and as a result affects the frames.

FOUNDATIONAL PROBLEMS OCCUR IN TWO MAJOR TYPES OF SHRINKAGE:

1. Foundation expansion
This is dominant in houses that use bricks. These bricks increase in size over time and, therefore, expose bricks to moisture. In cold climates, brick walls absorb moisture hence leading to serious cracks.

2. Foundation shrinkage
Chemical reactions take place leading to the loss of water from concrete over time. The shrinkage, once it happens, leaves visible gaps at the edges of slabs and the wall. Once this happens, we can conclude that there is a foundation problem in the building.

If you notice these signs in your house, you can contact us at G.L Hunt and we will help you with all of your foundation repair needs.

How to distinguish between Foundation Setting and Foundation Problems

As a homeowner, it may be tricky for you to determine whether your house is experiencing a normal settling or a more serious foundation problem. A foundation problem will be more serious and should be exhibited by severe warning signs. Cracks on the surface of the wall, however, may not necessarily imply that there is a foundational problem.

Settling, on the other hand, should be non-threatening. As such, foundation normal settling may not have an impact on the structural integrity of your building. There should be no cause for worry. In settling, a few inches of the building will move as part of a natural process. You will not be able to control soil expansion and contraction. These two are the major causes of settling in homes.

Larger issues that indicate a foundational problem include the following:
• Presence of water in the basement area of your house – this is due to seepage into the room through the large cracks in the walls
• Cracks and gaps in the roof
• Visible wall cracks

At G.L Hunt, we offer foundation repair to clients in the areas of Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio Texas. If you need any advice on the soil composition with regard to new structures, feel free to contact us today. We believe that our high-quality services will help you maintain your precious home.

Although you might not appreciate it, your home’s foundation is an essential component of your house. If it is not strong enough, your home faces the risk of crumbling. Taking care of your foundation is, therefore crucial. Foundations in Texas face an even greater risk: The extreme weather, water, changing temperatures and soil erosion can lead to serious foundation problems. If you don’t want to deal with foundation repair, the following tips will go a long way in protecting your home’s integrity.

1. Timed sprinkler

If the soil is too dry, it shrinks and contracts. Further contracting will make your foundation unstable. Instead of waiting for the ground to dry up, you can be proactive by installing a water sprinkler that waters the foundation every morning and evening for around 30 minutes. A timer controls the sprinkler system.

2. Proper Drainage

If too much water gets into the soil, it expands dramatically and exerts pressure on your foundation walls making them unstable and weak. Installing a good drainage system will clear away any ponding water that is likely to accumulate within areas and depressions near the foundation and redirect it to a discharge point away from the foundation walls.

3. Good downspouts

The downspouts are meant to redirect rainwater from your roof to the ground. You should make sure that they are properly cleaned to avoid blockage. You can install extenders to direct the water at least five feet away from your foundation. Instead of directing water to the ground, you can also bury a downspout diverter to redirect the water to a storm drain or another spot in the yard.

4. Soil saturation during dry periods

During drought months, the soil usually gets very dry. A sprinkler system may not be enough. You will need a complimentary watering system to keep the ground properly saturated to prevent contracting and shrinking that may cause the foundation to crack. You can have French drains installed to assist the sprinklers in watering deeper parts of the soil. You can use a soaker hose to water around the house regularly to keep the ground moist.

5. Foundation grading

Observe your lawn for a moment. Is it flat or does it slope away or towards your house? The soil needs to slope away from your house to redirect water away from your foundation walls. You can achieve this by grading the yard at least 6 inches per every 10 feet. If this sort of grading is not possible, you should have a French drain installed.

6. Embed foundation

Keep a substantial amount of compacted soil around your foundation. You should at least embed it 2” below the brick line. An embedded foundation will assist the soil to retain its moisture content, especially during the dry periods.

7. Keep trees away

Tree and shrub roots can suck all the water from the ground, especially during the dry period, leading to foundation problems. To prevent this from occurring, plant the trees and shrubs at a significant distance away from your house. A rule of thumb: If the tree branches are close enough to touch any part of the house, the tree is probably too close.

8. Keep short shrubs

If you have to keep shrubs around the house, make sure they are at most three feet tall. It will prevent further development of the roots thus helping to avoid sucking all the moisture from the soil by the shrubs.

9. Proper positioning of lawn sprinklers

Lawn sprinklers are necessary. They keep your grass healthy and green all year- round. You should correctly position the lawn sprinklers to avoid watering the foundation. Too much watering can also redirect the excess water to your foundation leading to long-term problems. You should not forget to turn off the sprinklers during rainy days. The combined watering punch might direct some of the water to your foundation.

10. Proper planning of concrete features

You should build the concrete driveways, landscaping paths, and sidewalks in a manner that directs water away from the house. It will prevent the water from ponding near the foundation. You should employ wisdom while designing new concrete construction around your house. For example, erecting large concrete constructions on one side of the house and a watered garden on the other may lead to an imbalance.

Employing these ten tips will save you a lot of trouble in the future. They not only protect the integrity of your foundation but also the entire house in general. If you notice signs of foundation trouble, stay on top of the problem and contact G.L.Hunt for a free estimate. We offer quality and reliable foundation repairs in San Antonio, Dallas foundation repair, and Fort Worth foundation repair services with a commitment to customer service and a job done right.

Home Foundation Repairs: For thousands of years, humans have taken residence in structures made from stone blocks, adobe, animal skins, and other building materials. However, none of them match the quality of modern homes.

The houses developed nations’ residents live in today are heated and cooled with central air systems, feature walls lined with countless resealable windows, sturdy roofs with gutters to safely divert excess water, toilets and sinks with running water, and tons of other modern features that make living life loads easier and more rewarding than ever before.

One of the most important areas of modern homes is the foundation. Without solid foundations, homes slip, slide, and deteriorate over time. They become especially susceptible to wind, flood, and earthquake damage. Foundation problems can also cause water leaks, energy efficiency, and hosts of other problems.

Home Foundation Repair Isn’t Always Easy, But It’s Sometimes Necessary

As homes rest and rely on their foundations, structures without solid structures will ultimately collapse. However, in most cases, foundation-related problems often result from the ground beneath homes in question, rather than homes themselves.

Home foundation problems are not easy to repair. Contractors generally have one of two options to fix bad foundations: piering and slabjacking.

Piering or Steel Piers Repair involves drilling long, sturdy, steel rods into then ground, in turn raising concrete slabs that homes in question are situated on. Slabjacking consists of pumping grout underneath uneven concrete slabs, effectively leveling them out. Such issues can also be replaced by injecting large volumes of high-density foam underneath problem areas, though the former two methods are most common.

Wait – What Happens After Home Foundation Repair Is Completed?

If you found out about a foundation problem, given you knew how serious it was, you’ve probably already hired contractors to eliminate the problem. But what can homeowners expect after foundation work is completed?

Keep in mind that you may experience none of the following problems. Conversely, you could experience all of them. Either way, there’s no means of finding out if your home experiences any of the following issues without thoroughly inspecting it on a weekly basis.

Most changes appear just days after house foundation repair, if not sooner. However, because Mother Nature is impossible to predict, expect to keep an eye peeled for at least one full month.

Your Home’s Drywall May Crack, Break, Or Chip

Drywall is the most visible building material in a majority of modern homes. If your interior walls are flat with a smooth texture, you can bet that most, if not all, of your home, is covered inside with drywall.

Also called sheetrock, wallboard, and plasterboard, drywall consists of the mineral gypsum, typically wedged between two rugged pieces of paper. While the paper is flexible, gypsum is a soft material and is known to crack under pressure.

Don’t panic if you notice drywall cracks or chips after foundation repair!

Such movement almost always indicates the home is in its proper position. So why didn’t it crack while soil underneath your home’s foundation disheveled its levelness?

It’s safe to say that, because gypsum is so soft and malleable when molded over time, the drywall slowly conformed to your home’s incorrect, unleveled, warped form.

If you’ve waited at least a month – preferably a minimum of 6 weeks – it’s time to repair any broken drywall. Fortunately, doing so is an easy, affordable fix.

Home Foundation Repairs: Tiles And Paneled Flooring May Do The Same

Although fine tile can be beautiful, ceramic and porcelain are both brittle. Following house foundation repair, tiles could crack right down the middle.

However, it’s most common to find chipped or jagged edges on tiles after stabilizing your home. If you or the previous owner saved spare materials from construction or remodeling jobs, you’re in luck – simply replace what’s broken.

In the event you can’t locate spare flooring materials, take pictures and reach out to local building supply and home improvement stores. Chances are, they’ll match it right up.

Home Foundation Repairs: Doors Might Not Close Like They’re Supposed To

Doors are an integral part of modern homes. Without them, animals and bugs would reign freely in our family living areas, energy bills would spike through the roof, and – well – we’d be forced to hop in and out through windows like NASCAR drivers.

Before you scheduled home foundation repair, do you remember if your doors functioned appropriately? In most cases, probably not.

If foundation repair does, in fact, seems to be the culprit for door misalignment, it’s possible to sand off trouble areas through manual sanding, shaving slices off by using a router, or rehanging the door in question.

Make sure to wait a month or two before making repairs. A major symptom of foundation repair is a gradual reset to resting position, potentially rendering premature repairs useless.

Cracks, Crevices, Holes, And Gaps In Exterior Walls – Uh Oh!

While repairs to drywall can wait, it’s important to immediately repair any gaps in exterior walls as soon as you notice them.

Failing to promptly repair these issues can jack up utility bills through reducing HVAC efficiency, invite opportunistic animals and bugs into your home, and allow water to seep into your home, resulting in water stains – even worse – more foundation problems.

Soil in Dallas, Forth Worth, and San Antonio often expands and contracts through the four seasons. Not sure what to do after completing home foundation repairs? Look no further than G.L. Hunt Foundation and Structural Repair.

Foundation Problems in San Antonio: The most likely reason for a San Antonio foundation repair is the result of expanding and contracting soils under the floor concrete slab. In this article, you will get to know the most significant causes of changes in soil moisture level that eventually leads to sinking foundations. It is critical that you understand the reasons why your concrete slabs are settling to determine the best repair method that can solve your specific problem.

Foundation Problems in San Antonio | Climatic Conditions

The San Antonio area and the greater Texas state are known to have extreme weather conditions during the four climatic seasons. Radical changes between hot, cold, dry, and wet weather severely affect the soil in that region including the concrete foundation of homes. When the earth under foundations undergoes temperature and moisture fluctuations, it tends to expand and contract excessively causing the concrete foundation to crack.

Foundation Problems in San Antonio | Soil Type

The type of soil an area has is highly dependent on the prevailing climatic conditions. Lands in the San Antonio area are composed of loam and clay soils with a very high elasticity index. The index measures the percentage of soil to expand or contract when it is exposed to different weather conditions. A high index translates to a high expansion and contraction rate that causes cracks in concrete foundations.

Foundation Problems in San Antonio | Drainage Issues

The San Antonio area has a flat terrain that tends to hold rainwater stagnant instead of allowing it to flow freely. Unfortunately, most people do not know that stagnant water is detrimental to their foundations in the long run. Standing water finds its way into the soil immediately below it through a process known as seepage and finally to the ground under the foundation by lateral movement. A little moisture in foundation soil is recommendable, but excess water causes the earth to expand causing cracks on the concrete above it.

Foundation Problems in San Antonio | Leveling Problems

When a contractor is set to lay foundation concrete, it’s vital that the soil under the concrete is kept 100 percent flat. However, this is not usually the case partly because it’s not practical. Because of the soil type in San Antonio, it’s even more challenging to keep the foundation soil leveled when preparing for construction. The result is a slightly uneven house that tends to cause undue pressure on some parts of the concrete foundation leading to cracking.

Incompetent Contractors

Considering the soil problems in Texas, building contractors are expected to be extra careful when preparing the soil foundation and during the actual concrete laying. However, some contractors tend to overlook this specific problem as well as other construction standards and inspection requirements. It is recommendable that you are present during the initial days of construction to make sure your contractor does it right. If you cannot be physically available, consider sending a trusted proxy to represent you.

Landscaping Issues

Who would not like a well-manicured flower garden in the front and backyard of their home? For homeowners in the San Antonio area, this practice would not be recommendable. Trees and plants very near to the house tend to absorb the water and moisture required for the stability of foundation soils. Excessive leaching causes the ground to contract to result in the sinking of the upper floor slabs and cracking of concrete foundations.

Leaking Water Pipes

A leaking pipe fix and foundation repair in San Antonio, Texas are not uncommon. These practices are mainly because of extreme temperature changes and the soil type in the area. Water from these pipes causes the soil to expand further and create erosion problems in some extreme cases. It’s recommendable that you seek expert opinion when carrying out plumbing works. Also, make sure you schedule frequent inspections of your piping and irrigation systems.

Ignoring The actual Cause of Cracks

When carrying out foundation repair in san antonio, some homeowners cut corners by using concrete piers that are seemingly affordable. Piers are known to fix the practical problem, but they do not address the actual cause of the cracks, which is the soil beneath the foundation. The seemingly affordable option becomes very expensive in the long run since you have to repair the slab a second time or third time when it cracks again.

Conclusion

The list only includes the most likely problem a san antonio foundation repair may address. There are many other causes of concrete cracking that may be specific to your house. An ideal contractor should be able to accurately identify and repair the real cause of a sinking concrete slab and foundation. Not sure what to do about foundation repair problems in San Antonio? Look no further than G.L. Hunt Foundation and Structural Repair.

Your home’s foundation performs more than one important function: it holds your home above the ground, protects the structure from earth movements, blocks moisture, and acts as insulation against cold. Understandably, it’s extremely concerning when you’re not sure if your home’s foundation is sinking or settling.

Below, we’ll describe some differences between a home with a typical settling foundation and one with a sinking foundation.

A SETTLING FOUNDATION: WHAT’S TYPICAL?

The entire weight of your home bears down on its foundation. That massive weight can cause some subtle movements in the ground below when a home is relatively new. Your foundation may need to “settle” or adjust to those movements at first. Some settling of the foundation is normal within the first 2 or 3 years.

During this settlement period, hairline cracks can form in your home’s walls. Typically, these minor cracks will have the following characteristics:

• No more than 1/16 inch wide
• Between 2 to 6 inches long
• Will run vertically, NOT horizontally

While unattractive, these cracks usually don’t signal a structural problem with your home. However, if you’re ever in doubt, it never hurts to consult a trusted foundation repair expert. You should also keep an eye on these cracks to make sure they don’t get dramatically worse.

6 SINKING FOUNDATION WARNING SIGNS: WHAT IS NOT TYPICAL SETTLING?

Now that we’ve touched on what typical “settling” looks like, it’s time to look at the warning signs of a foundation problem. If you see any of the following “red flags,” your foundation may be sinking.

1. Horizontal Cracks

It doesn’t matter how big these are. Even if they would technically qualify as “hairline” in width, cracks that run sideways are a distress call from your foundation.

2. Cracks That Taper from the Bottom to the Top

Check your walls and foundation for cracks that are widest at the bottom and get skinnier toward the top. This is a sign that part of your home’s foundation is sinking apart from the rest.

3. Cracks Around Windows and Doors

Watch out for any cracks that have formed around your home’s doorframes and window frames. Cracks in these areas are typically caused by a shifting foundation.

4. Nail Pops

A nail pop is a term for a circular hole or protrusion that happens in drywall. Either the drywall will move while a nail stays still, or the nail will move while the drywall stays still. The end result is a dimple or hole in your drywall.

Sometimes nail pops are only a cosmetic issue. They tend to signal a structural problem more often in older homes or if multiple nail pops occur in more than one location in a home.

5. Unlevel, Uneven Floors

Your home’s floors shouldn’t have any obvious slope or sagging areas. It’s especially important that the concrete slab in the basement is level. If your floor is uneven, this could mean that part of your foundation is sinking.

6. Doors or Windows That Stick

Are there doors or windows in your home that are extremely hard to open and close? This problem can stem from issues like high humidity or a worn-out frame. However, this issue can also be caused by a sinking foundation that’s changed the shape of the window or door frame. You can use a level to see if the frame’s sides are no longer perfectly upright and horizontal.

WHAT MAKES FOUNDATIONS SINK?

Foundations can move more than they should due to a variety of problems. Typically, when you’re dealing with a sinking foundation:

• there’s either too much water around your foundation, weakening it;
• or the soil movement around your foundation is the problem.

Some soils (like the clay soils we have around the DFW area) expand dramatically when they meet moisture and then shrink drastically during hot, dry weather. That makes for a lot of expanding and contracting earth around the base of your home. That repeated stress season after season will eventually weaken your foundation.

Foundation Repair in Fort Worth

At G.L. Hunt Foundation Repair your safety and well-being are our top priority. We take pride in providing caring service and high-quality foundation repairs with top-of-the-line tools and technology. For assistance in San Antonio or the DFW area, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (817) 438-2052 to learn more about how we can help you!

Have you noticed a skinny crack forming in your home’s foundation? If so, you’re probably wondering if it’s cause for concern and what to do. Below, we’ll provide you with more information about hairline cracks in foundations, including what counts as a hairline crack, how they form, and what to do about them.

What Counts As a Hairline Crack In a Home’s Foundation?

Think about the width of a hair, and you’ll get the idea of what a hairline crack is. These cracks are extremely narrow and tend to be a consistent width all along their length.

One way to tell if your foundation has a hairline crack is to do a simple “penny test.” Hold a penny up to the crack. If the penny’s edge is thicker than the crack’s width, then you have a hairline crack.

How Do Hairline Cracks Form In Foundations?

Various factors can create cracks in your home’s foundation:

• Soil moisture levels around the foundation. Soil can move, expand, and contract as it gains and loses moisture throughout the year. That shifting can put pressure on your home’s rigid slab foundation and cause cracks to form.
• Temperature changes. Hot and cold weather can also cause your foundation and the soil around it to expand and contract. That repetition over time can lead to cracks.

While there isn’t anything you can do about the temperature where you live, you do have some control over the soil’s moisture. If you notice standing water around your home’s foundation from rain or your sprinkler system, work with a drainage expert to find a solution to direct water away from your home. This will prevent excess moisture from making the soil around your foundation soggy and unstable.

Should I Get a Hairline Crack In My Foundation Repaired?

At the very least, you should get a hairline crack in your foundation inspected by a trusted foundation repair company. Even though they’re thin, these cracks can let moisture seep into your crawl space or basement. That moisture can lead to mold and water damage.

Hairline cracks can also broaden over time and pose a structural threat to your home. Getting a hairline crack fixed by a professional is a relatively simple procedure, but repairing a large crack will be more difficult and costly. For this reason, home experts typically recommend getting the crack inspected and fixed sooner rather than later.

Do you need a foundation inspection? G.L. Hunt Foundation Repair is ready to assist! Contact our Fort Worth foundation repair experts today to schedule an appointment: (817) 438-2052.

The old saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers,” but is April the rainiest month in Texas? Not so – or at least, not in every part of Texas. Texas is a big state, and consequently, its boundaries cover several regions with varying climates.

What are the rainiest months in your region of the Lone Star State? Find out below, and get some tips from our drainage experts about avoiding problems during those rainy months!

WHAT ARE THE RAINIEST MONTHS OF THE YEAR IN TEXAS?

Historically, these months tend to be the rainiest in Texas’s major regions:

• Big Bend Country: June, July

• Gulf Coast: June, September

• Hill Country: May, June, October

• Panhandle Plains: June, August

• Piney Woods: April, May, June, October

• Prairies and Lakes: May, June, October

• South Texas Plains: May, June, September, October

DEALING WITH RAINY MONTHS: TIPS FROM TEXAS DRAINAGE EXPERTS

While most homeowners are concerned with their roofs during rain, drainage should also be a priority to prevent problems like water damage, flooding, and an unstable foundation. Keep the following tips in mind to avoid issues during rainy months:

1. Repair bent or broken gutters.

Gutters redirect water away from your home so that you don’t end up with a soggy roof, siding, or soil around the foundation. Be sure to get bent or broken gutters fixed well before your region’s “rainy season.”

2. Keep your gutters clean.

Having gutters is not enough: it’s essential to keep them clean. Leaves, twigs, bird’s nests, and more can prevent water from draining properly. Plus, the standing water can attract egg-laying mosquitoes!

3. If your gutters are still overflowing, consider installing additional downspouts.

If you don’t have enough downspouts, your gutters can flood when it really starts to pour. As a reference, you should have one downspout for every 20 feet of guttering.

4. When installing gutters, don’t go the DIY route.

While it may seem like a smart way to save money, you won’t be able to take advantage of a professional installation, and there’s a good chance that you’ll buy too much or too little of what you need. Plus, gutters need to be installed at a slight, almost unnoticeable angle for drainage to occur correctly, and achieving this without professional training is tougher than it looks.

5. If water pools around your home’s foundation, consult a drainage expert.

Standing water around your foundation can make the soil soggy and dangerously unstable. By consulting an expert, they can help you determine which drainage solution is the best fit for your property’s layout. Some drainage solutions (like french drains) can even be incorporated into your landscaping.

For drainage and gutter solutions in San Antonio and the DFW area, don’t hesitate to call the trusted experts at G.L. Hunt Foundation Repair: (817) 438-2052.