What is the first sign of foundation problems?
Often a door that starts sticking or a new diagonal crack above a door frame. Both can have other causes, so look for patterns and changes over time.
12 Signs of Foundation Problems in Houston-Area Homes
Most Houston-area foundations move a little every year. These are the signs that movement may have become a problem, and how to tell the difference.
Educational guide. General information for Pearland and Southeast Houston homeowners, not a repair quote, engineering opinion, or insurance advice.
Why Houston homes show foundation signs so often
The Houston area sits on expansive clay that swells when wet and shrinks when dry. Almost every home shows some movement over time. The question is not whether your house has a crack. It is whether the foundation is moving unevenly enough to need repair.
Inside the house
- Diagonal drywall cracks running up from the corners of doors and windows.
- Doors that stick, drag, or won't latch, or that swing open or shut by themselves.
- Windows that are hard to open or show gaps at the frame.
- Sloping or uneven floors; a marble that rolls consistently in one direction is a rough clue.
- Gaps between walls and ceilings, or crown molding and baseboards pulling away.
- Cracked floor tile in a line across a room.
- Cabinets or countertops separating from the wall.
Outside the house
- Stair-step cracks in brick or mortar, especially near corners and windows.
- Cracks in the slab edge (the grade beam) visible below the brick line.
- Gaps around exterior doors and garage doors.
- Brick pulling away from window frames or trim.
- Soil pulling away from the foundation in dry weather, or water pooling against it after rain.
Cosmetic or structural?
Thin hairline cracks that appear once and stay the same are often cosmetic shrinkage. Warning signs are cracks that are wider at one end, cracks that reopen after patching, several signs in the same part of the house, and doors that change seasonally. An elevation survey is the only reliable way to know. See what a foundation inspection includes.
How to document what you see
- Take dated photos with a coin or ruler for scale.
- Mark crack ends with a pencil line and date, then check again in a few weeks.
- Note which doors stick and whether it changes with the weather.
- Write down any plumbing leaks, drainage changes, or tree removals.
Frequently asked questions
Are cracks in a new house normal?
Small shrinkage cracks in drywall and slabs are common in new homes. Cracks that grow, reopen, or come with sticking doors deserve an inspection.
Should I fix cracks before an inspection?
No. Leave cracks visible so an inspector can see their size and pattern. Photograph them first.
Keep reading
All foundation guides · Foundation repair services · Repair cost guide · Foundation inspections · Foundation repair in Pearland
Next step: Request an inspection or call (346) 679-7687. Foundation First TX is an independent inspection-request site, not the contractor of record.
Seeing several of these signs?
Request a no-obligation inspection with an elevation survey.