We all understand the importance of repairing our broken, bowing foundation walls for the sake of fixing them up and making them nice; but often we don’t consider the consequences of NOT taking action.

As cracks expand, and joints open wider, you could be opening your home up to the outside elements, putting the health of your home and your family at risk.

1. Unwanted pests. This is something we see often in older homes with bowing foundation walls and foundation cracking. As the wall shifts, bows, and cracks, gaps open up allowing unwanted bugs and rodents access to the warm, comfortable confines of your basement or crawl space.
2. Moisture and seepage. All walls crack and push in, it becomes easier for moisture and water from the soil outside to invade your living space––in fact water pressure is often the cause of inward bowing walls.
3. Mildew and mold. Often, with water and moisture comes mold. It only takes between 24 and 48 hours for toxic black mold to begin to colonize in your home under the right conditions. It’s important to address moisture and water intrusions as soon as possible.
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In addition to the side effects listed above, you may have also noticed drywall cracking, or windows and sliding doors becoming harder to open. These are all indications that your foundation may be due for an inspection from a structural engineer or foundation professional.

It’s pretty common knowledge that drought can be tough on plants and wildlife, but a lot of homeowners are shocked to learn that a house can also be seriously damaged by even a year or two of persistent drought. You don’t have to be a Weather Channel addict to know that most of Texas is already in a state of severe to extreme drought. According to forecasts from NOAA and USDA research partners, conditions are expected to get even drier over the summer.

Luckily, there are TWO silver linings in this missing rain cloud.

First, there’s still plenty of time to prepare for the worst and there are practical steps you can take now to protect your home. Second, even if signs of drought damage are starting to show up, they’re relatively easy to recognize and a few simple repairs are often all you need to prevent things from getting worse… and more expensive.

This is your house in a drought

Most people expect to see lawns and gardens turning brown during a drought, but as the soil beneath your house starts to harden and shift there can be problems above ground as well. The trouble begins when a receding water table causes the ground to sink or pull away from your foundation. This can cause parts of the foundation to twist or collapse, leading to more serious (and costly) kinds of structural damage over time.

Early signs of drought damage

Cracks are usually the first warning that drought could be harming your foundation. Here are some of the most common places they’ll show up:

•    Radiating out from the corners of windows and doors
•    Along caulked surfaces or in drywall and plaster
•    As a stairstep outline along concrete blocks
•    In siding, brickwork or ground level flooring
•    As gaps around cabinets, baseboards or exterior trim

•    On exposed areas where the foundation meets exterior walls

A few superficial cracks happen normally as new building materials settle or cure, but if you’re seeing more than one of these symptoms or a recent change, it’s a good idea to have a qualified inspector give you an opinion. In general, slab on grade foundations are more resistant to drought damage than homes with basements, but they’re still at risk when soil starts to sink.

If foundation cracks are lengthening or widening, or if the surfaces on either side of the crack aren’t on the same plane when you run your fingers over them, it’s possible that your foundation is experiencing problems. Look for areas where soil or concrete may be pulling away from the foundation. Inside the house, doors and windows may be sticking or hardware may not line up.