Sometimes it is normal to see a crack in your home’s foundation, windows, or walls that is just on the surface. Foundation cracks in Texas homes generally happen due to soil, heat, heavy rain, drought, poor drainage, and natural settlement. The real question is when the cracks are serious for your home & your safety and when you should seek professional help. RSH Engineering & Construction knows Texas homes foundations and makes you relax with a professional inspection.
Why Do Foundation Cracks Happen in Texas?
There might be different causes of foundation cracks in Texas, like expansive clay soil, which shrinks during dry weather and expands after heavy rain. Whenever this soil moves, it may witness a shift, settle, and experience stress.
Most of the homeowners in Texas also get to see some causes of cracks like poor drainage, plumbing leaks, tree roots, improper grading, construction issues, or long-term soil movement.
Not All Cracks are Dangerous: Let’s See Why.
No need to call the foundation inspector for seeing any cracks in your home, as they might not be serious for you. There can be some small hairline cracks in concrete, brick, dry wall, or exterior finishes, which may happen during home settling. Such cracks are often narrow and hence not always mean the foundation is falling.
Any crack when it is getting wide, spreads, or appears with other warning signs might create home foundation issues and need an immediate solution.
Important Signs When You Should Call an Engineer
There are some cases when the homeowners should contact the foundation inspector to secure their future homes and their future. Calling the professional’s help in time can also help you in saving future repair costs.
Whenever the homeowners in Texas start noticing these signs of foundation problems, they should immediately contact the service provider.
- If the crack is wider than ⅛ inch
- Having gaps around windows or doors
- Witnessed separation between wall and ceiling
- Having cracks that keep growing
- Water pooling near the foundation
- Stair-step crack in brick
- Having sloped or uneven floors
- Windows or doors sticking
After seeing such signs in your home in Texas, you can immediately call the professional home inspection provider. They will not only help you get to know the exact situation but also save you from future foundational issues.
What Does Foundation Inspection Mean to Homeowners?
A foundation inspection can be understood as the process of evaluating the building or property’s foundation and making a detailed report. If you call an engineer for an inspection, they will inspect all the cracks from the interior and exterior and prepare a detailed report.
After looking at the cracks, floor movement, wall separation, drainage patterns, roofline conditions, doors, windows, and other visible signs of damage, they will make a detailed evaluation report.
This report can contain the cause of these cracks in your home. Do you need to worry or not, what will be the future damage chances and foundation crack repair? This report can be used to claim your insurance if your house is still in the warranty period.
When Do Cracks May Require Immediate Action?
Not all cracks should be ignored when it comes to your family and your home safety. There are some instances when ignoring such cracks leads to facing massive losses. If you notice sudden cracks and they are getting wider, concrete filling cracks, major wall separation, and water intrusion are some of the serious signs of cracks and should be treated immediately.
There are also some cracks, like signs of rapid movement, plumbing leaks, or drought, in which you need to take immediate action. In such situations calling only a professional service provider is helpful, which not only does a proper evaluation but also a future course of action.
Conclusion
Often homeowners witness foundation cracks in Texas homes due to the natural conditions like soil movement and weather conditions. Some cracks can be general, while others can be serious and should not be left untreated after proper inspection. You should immediately contact the foundation crack inspection services provider to secure your family and property from future losses. RSH Engineering & Construction provides the best home inspection services and helps the homeowners with suggesting proper action, knowing the local environment.
Frequently Asked Questions on Foundation Cracks in Texas Homes: When to Call an Engineer
Q1. When should I call a structural engineer for foundation cracks?
A1. You should immediately call a structural engineer if the crack is more than ⅛ inch, whether it is horizontal or vertical.
Q2. How much does a structural engineer cost in Texas?
A2. The structural engineer cost can vary as per the inspection type and area. To get a quotation, you can visit the website.
Q3. Should I trust foundation company estimates or get a second opinion?
A3. You can definitely trust service providers like RSH Engineering & Construction, but you should also take a second opinion for your satisfaction.
