Is Your Home Trying to Tell You It’s Time To Call For Help?
Hey there! Have you noticed your doors getting stuck lately? Have you spotted some cracks sneaking across your ceiling or felt like your floor has suddenly developed a slight slope? Your house might be trying to tell you something important about what’s happening underneath.
I’ve been working with homeowners across Texas for years at Du-West, and I’ve seen firsthand how our challenging soil conditions can wreak havoc on foundations. Let me share some insider tips on what to watch for and when it’s time to make that call for help.
The Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Your home will usually give you some hints before major foundation problems develop. Catching these early can save you a ton of headaches (and money!):
Those cracks in your walls? Little hairline fractures are pretty normal in drywall, but if you’re seeing diagonal cracks stretching from door corners or windows, that’s your house waving a red flag.
Have you noticed doors that used to close perfectly now sticking or swinging open on their own? Or windows that suddenly won’t budge? That’s often because your foundation has shifted just enough to throw those frames out of alignment.
One of the most telling signs is when your floors develop a mind of their own. If you’ve dropped something round and watched it roll across what should be a level floor, or noticed some spots feel bouncy or soft underfoot, your foundation is definitely talking to you.
Take a walk around the outside of your house too. Visible cracks in the concrete foundation itself or gaps forming between your home and the ground are serious signs that shouldn’t be ignored.
When Should You Pick Up the Phone And Call Us?
Not every little crack means disaster is imminent, but there are definitely times when calling a professional isn’t just smart—it’s necessary.
Give us a call if:
- Those cracks you’ve been watching are getting bigger or spreading
- You’re feeling uneven spots or slopes when you walk across your floors
- Doors and windows that used to work fine are now a daily frustration
- You’ve spotted moisture in your crawl space or basement (water is foundation enemy #1!)
- You’re in the process of buying or selling a home and want peace of mind
- Your home experienced a significant leak or flood recently
- It’s been over a decade since anyone looked at your foundation
Here’s the thing about foundation issues—they never get better on their own, and waiting almost always means more extensive (and expensive) repairs down the road.
What Happens During a Professional Inspection?
When you call us at Du-West, we don’t just glance at a few cracks and hand you a bill. Our inspection process is thorough because we want the complete picture of what’s happening with your home.
First, we’ll listen to your story. You live there—you’ve noticed the changes and probably have the best insights into when things started changing.
We’ll walk through your home checking walls, ceilings, floors, and trim before heading outside to look for exterior signs of movement or separation.
Using specialized leveling tools, we’ll measure floor heights throughout your house to pinpoint exactly where and how much settlement has occurred.
We’ll also check how water flows around your property, since drainage issues are often at the root of foundation problems.
Then comes the most important part—explaining everything we’ve found in plain language. No scare tactics or pressure, just honest information about what’s normal, what’s concerning, and what we recommend.
How We Fix Foundation Problems
Every house is unique, and foundation repair isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Depending on what’s happening with your home, we might recommend:
- Installing concrete or steel piers deep into stable soil to provide support
- Using mudjacking techniques to lift sunken concrete slabs
- Correcting drainage issues with grading or drain systems
- Installing root barriers to keep large trees from causing foundation movement
- Adding support or shimming in crawl spaces to fix sagging floors
Our promise is simple—we won’t sell you more than you need, and we’ll make sure the job is done right.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Should I just wait to call and see if the cracks get worse?
You could, but if they’re actively growing or causing problems with doors and floors, waiting typically means more extensive repairs later.
Will I need to move out during repairs?
Almost never! Most homeowners can stay put throughout the repair process.
How long will repairs take?
Most jobs take between 2-5 days, though we’ll give you a specific timeline for your situation.
Do you offer financing options?
Absolutely—we understand foundation repair isn’t something most people budget for.
Don’t Wait Until Small Problems Become Big Ones
Your foundation literally supports everything else in your home. When it starts to fail, everything above it feels the effects. Those sticky doors, spreading cracks, and uneven floors are your home’s way of asking for help.
If something feels off, give us a call at Du-West. We’re here to help you catch issues early, fix them properly, and get your home back on solid ground. Your peace of mind is worth it!
