Why Clay Matters
Much of East Texas has clay soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry. When one side of a house dries faster than the other, often because of sun, trees or poor drainage, the foundation moves unevenly.
Outside the Home
- Stair-step cracks in brick mortar
- Gaps where brick meets window or door frames
- Cracks in the slab edge or a gap between the slab and soil in summer
- Chimney leaning or pulling away
- Water that pools against the foundation after rain
Inside the Home
- Doors that stick, swing on their own, or won't latch
- Diagonal drywall cracks from the corners of doors and windows
- Floors that slope, or tile that cracks in a line
- Gaps between baseboards, walls or the ceiling
- Bouncy or sagging floors in pier-and-beam homes
Normal vs. Worth a Look
Thin hairline cracks are common in concrete and drywall. Cracks that grow over time, are wider at one end, or show up together with sticking doors and sloping floors are worth an inspection.
Simple Checks
- Mark the ends of a crack with a pencil and date it, then check again in a few weeks.
- Roll a marble on a hard floor to spot a strong slope.
- Notice whether doors stick more in summer or after heavy rain. Seasonal changes point to soil moisture.
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