Why it happens here
Expansive clay soil is common across DFW. It swells in wet seasons and shrinks in droughts, which moves slab foundations slightly. That movement shows up as doors that stick in one season and swing freely in another, and hairline cracks in drywall.
Usually cosmetic
- Hairline cracks at the corners of doors and windows
- A door that sticks in summer but not in winter
- Small nail pops and tape seams showing in drywall
Worth a closer look
- Cracks wider than about a quarter inch, or ones that keep growing
- Stair-step cracks in exterior brick
- Doors with a visible gap at the top on one side
- Floors that slope or crack
- Windows that suddenly will not open or close
What to do
For small seasonal issues, a handyman can plane or adjust doors and patch and paint cracks. If you see the warning signs above, get a foundation inspection first, so you are not patching cracks that will reopen.
Keeping soil moisture steady around the foundation in summer, with a soaker hose or drip line, helps limit movement. Ask a foundation pro what they recommend for your home.