Homeowners and business owners in East Texas are like those anywhere else in the country – you want to ensure that your property stays sturdy and safe for the duration of your ownership. However, without a proper understanding of what to look out for, certain issues with the very ground beneath your feet may lead to catastrophic damage to your structure’s foundation.
East Texas has a unique soil composition that is positively filled with clay. If your home or business was built upon a substandard foundation by a builder who either did not know what they were doing or preferred a cheaper route for construction, the soil composition of East Texas could cause significant problems down the road. During rainy seasons, East Texas soils swell with moisture and move upward against your foundation. During dry seasons, our soils contract and may leave pockets beneath your home that weaken your foundation.
Under odd circumstances like heavy rainfall immediately following a period of drought, water will often force its way through paths of least resistance – if your foundation is already weakened from years of soil movement, water may surge through it. Such a scenario can lead to settlement and cracks appearing in your floors, which may ultimately cause foundation sinking and further damage to the overall structure of your home or business.
Typically, issues with water beneath structures are mitigated by properly constructed drainage systems. However, if the drainage system below your home or business is poorly built or in disrepair, it can wreak havoc on its foundation. A simple build-up of moisture may affect your foundation, piers, beams, joists, and anything else supporting your structure.
One of the best ways to ensure a new construction lasts for the long term is to use drilled piers, thicker concrete slabs, as well as steel rebar. Homes and businesses whose foundations are doubly reinforced in these ways are far more likely to resist the forces of soil movement. If you own an older property, these methods may not have been employed in its construction, and you may soon discover foundation issues.
If you have issues with the foundation in your East Texas home or business, you may notice certain tell-tale signs, including:
- Windows that no longer open or shut properly
- Doors that no longer open or shut properly
- Visible cracks in your floors, drywall, and ceilings
- Sagging or domed floors
- Gaps around your interior and exterior doorways
- Moisture build-up on ground floors
By keeping your eyes peeled for these signs, you can stay one step ahead of foundation issues in East Texas and potentially stop them dead in their tracks. With a simple call to the experts at Lone Star Foundation, we can perform an initial evaluation to determine the extent of your foundation issue. Afterward, we’ll provide you with solutions that ensure your home or business rests on solid ground.
For more information on the most common foundation issues for concrete slabs and pier and beam structures in East Texas, contact Lone Star Foundation today!
