A crack in the wall you did not see there a year ago? Doors that have taken to sticking, or a floor with an odd slope to one side of the room? Such things can be telling; your home could be putting its foundation issues on display.

We at Gulf Express Construction are no strangers to the way the ground is in this part of the country. In our 20 plus years of working with homeowners in Southeast Texas we have learned what to expect. Should you want to put some questions to us about your foundation, give us a ring at (409) 449-6007. We put together this post to put you in a position to recognise the early warnings and nip a small issue in the bud.

What Makes Foundations Work Harder in Southeast Texas

You only have to look at the soil in and around Beaumont, Groves and Port Arthur to understand. It is clay rich and will expand with water then contract as it dries. Throw in the humidity, heavy rain and now and then a storm and the movement under a house is considerable.

It is predictable movement, to be sure, and a homeowner can put eyes on it. The problem is most tend to let it go until the damage has had a chance to spread, at which point any repairs are going to be more of an undertaking and costlier.

Cracks of Concern

Some cracks are nothing to worry over but certain patterns are indicative of the foundation moving. Keep an eye out for:

• Stair-step type cracks in the brick or block of an outside wall
• Drywall inside with vertical or diagonal cracks, in particular by the windows and doors
• Cracks in the concrete slab of a garage or utility room
• A gap where the wall and ceiling or floor join
• Exterior brick pulling away from a door or window frame
• Any crack that is more than a quarter inch and appears to be getting bigger

Normal settling will leave a hairline here and there. But if they are lengthening, widening or making an appearance in several places, the foundation is shifting.

Trouble with Your Doors, Windows and Floors

The rest of the house is only as steady as the foundation supporting it, so you will see the signs in the areas you use day in and day out. For instance:

• A door that jams or does not latch like it should
• Windows with gaps around the frame or that are difficult to operate
• An uneven or bouncy floor underfoot
• Baseboards separating from the floor
• No apparent cause for tile or laminate to be lifting or cracking
• Countertops or cabinets that seem to be coming off the wall

One or two of these may have another reason for being. Put them all together however and it usually comes back to what is going on beneath your home.

Things to Look for Outdoors

People do not often venture outside to check, yet some of the clearest indications are there. Make a circuit of your property and you may find:

• Water standing or draining poorly by the foundation after it has rained
• A gap where the soil has receded from the foundation
• The chimney is leaning or has separated
• Cracked concrete on the patio, driveway or walkway
• Downspouts that are discharging water right up against the foundation

In this section of Texas water is the primary concern. You can do much to curtail foundation movement by seeing to it that moisture levels are even around the perimeter.

Making a Call to a Pro

An emergency is not called for over a couple of minor cracks. When you have floors sloping, doors that will not shut and those same cracks are widening, it would be prudent to have someone come and have a look. Early detection is the key to keeping repair work and costs down.

Gulf Express Construction does it all from new construction and remodeling to concrete and foundation work, so we are able to see the whole of the situation and be straight with you. That kind of service, on time and within budget, is how we have made our name in the last two decades among the people of Beaumont, Groves, Port Arthur, Nederland, Silsbee, Orange, Bridge City, Lumberton and environs.

Do not put it off if you have seen any of the above. We are at (409) 449-6007 Monday to Friday from 8:00am till 5:00pm to set up a free consultation and bid. Let us help you put your mind at ease about your home.