Comments on: How to Take Care of Your Foundation

By: Should I Buy A Home With Foundation Issues? « Real Estate Chat by Melinda

Should I Buy A Home With Foundation Issues? « Real Estate Chat by Melinda — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:25:35 +0000

[...] Foundation movement is a different thing altogether and can happen for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the developer did not prepare the ground properly or the builder made some sort of error in building. More often however, the home owner is negligent in caring for his foundation. Perhaps he forgets to water it or he allows poor drainage issues to wash away the soil dangerously exposing the slab. There are too many reasons to mention. The important thing is that foundation movement can often be avoided or at least minimized. If you are concerned about how to properly care for your foundation, do some research. Here is a great blog I found on the subject: http://yourhoustonhomeinspector.com/living-in-your-home/green-home-conversion/ihow-care-foundationi/ [...]

By: frankschulteladbeck

frankschulteladbeck — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:19:41 +0000

Hello Melanie,

the current drought conditions will be lasting according to some experts. The problem is predicting what may be happening around your home. If the cracks are severe (over 1/8″), or there is more of an issue with the doors, you may want to investigate further. If conditions around each pier stay the same, things may settle in a way that is to your benefit, and if you are not seeing severe damage, waiting is an option. I would suggest that you can have an estimate done which would give you more information. I recently examined the work of one firm on a pier and beam home, and they did a good job. I believe they do free estimates; their name is Golden Construction 281.445.0838. If they do not perform a free estimate, I know other firms will. My concern would be the severity of your issue. If you wait, you need to monitor the situation on a consistent basis, but if it was my home, I would seek some advice based upon someone examining the actual home, and that can be accomplished with a free estimate.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:07:16 +0000

Hello and thanks for the website. I have a home built in 1969 on clay soil in Houston. Through the drought I watered all around the foundation. Previously I had 18 piers put in 20 years ago. I seem to have cracks right in the middle of the home now with some inner doors having problems. I believe I should wait a while to call the foundation company, to see if the change in seasons helps. What do you think?

By: frankschulteladbeck

frankschulteladbeck — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:14:59 +0000

From your description, the foundation of the addition does not sound as if it was connected to the old foundation. This can mean that problems may continue in the future. Keeping the ground consistently moist would be your best option if the cracks are not too major yet (over 1/8″). As for the trees: do their branches come over your yard? The tree obtains its water from roots which are just beyond the edge of the leaves. If their branches are over your roof, then their roots are under your foundation. There are root barrier products that can stop this growth. The drought will continue till next year. If you continue to have problems, having a foundation company do an evaluation may give you an idea on the extent of the damage.

By: Paula

Paula — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:27:06 +0000

Frank, we live in Texas City. A one room addition (north) and pool and deck was done in 1989. First there was only cool deck cracks; next nail pops; and now the room is pulling away from house. The neighbor to ouir east is less than 20ft with a yard full of trees! Want to purchase soaker hoses. Do we only place them on the north and east sides (basically water her tree roots)? Help.

By: frankschulteladbeck

frankschulteladbeck — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:16:44 +0000

Hello Diane, your plan sounds like the best course of action. I would check that no damage has occurred to the foundation already. In your situation, retaining walls will help prevent soil erosion, which is needed. Does the downspout now direct water further away from the home? Letting the water drain past the retaining wall would be good. If you notice damage signs in the house, having support placed under that corner may be required. Damage can happen to the foundation quickly when conditions are right, so my concern would be that nothing has effected the home.

By: Diane KIrksey

Diane KIrksey — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:09:29 +0000

My house is on a slope with a creek at the bottom. I recently noticed that along the back corner of the house the dirt has washed out from under the foundation. The gap between the foundation and the ground is about six inches. I am considering building a retaining wall along that side of the house and replacing the soil. There was a broken downspout at that corner but I have repaired it. Do you think this will be sufficient to stop any damage?

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 01:28:59 +0000

Tina, a good rule of thumb is simply to water until your dirt feels like dirt. If it’s dried and cracked, you need to raise your watering needs to increase. If it is spongy and soft, you need to cut back. Too little water is just as bad as too little, but in this drought too much water shouldn’t be a concern. Gutters are important, and height of the house doesn’t matter. Size of the roof, pitch of the roof are the biggest concerns. A good gutter specialist should be able to help you there.

By: frankschulteladbeck

frankschulteladbeck — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 16:34:53 +0000

There can be several factors, so for a proper response, you would need to speak to a local expert. Some clarification: fault lines are found in many parts of the country which can cause damage to a home, but you would not have a earthquake. For example, you would not think of earthquakes in Texas, but fault lines effect many homes in Houston. If the soil in your area is composed of heavy clay, you may experience a problem where the soil cracks. This type of soil can absorb water in wet season, but it will contract during dry seasons, leaving the cracks. If soil is creating a large enough gap, then foundation could sink. This typically will not happen in a dramatic fashion that you describe, but it can if conditions are right.

I would suggest having your home examined, or you should take a close look yourself. Go to the attic. What is the condition of the framing? Are there cracks? Are pieces of framing separating? Look for cracks in the walls. If you have a brick wall covering, check to see if cracks are only in the mortar, or do they go through the brick. Going through the brick is more severe. Do the doors in the house open and close well? Do the windows? These are also signs that something may be wrong.

Note: be careful about time spent in the attic during the summer. Staying in temperatures of 120F or more for a long period is dangerous to your health. You can suffer a heat stroke. I do not know how your attic is situated, but the examination needs to be all over, so you may wish to do it in stages.

By: wavang

wavang — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 02:03:22 +0000

My house has had two incidents were it felt like an earthquake was occurring and when I went to go check the backyard you could see some cracks in the yard coming out from the corner of the house. The house itself is not damage and I wouldn’t expect huge earthquakes in Wisconsin but these two incidents have me worried. I am wondering if this is do to the weather being so dry this summer causing the soil to give way or is it caused by something else?