Sticking doors, new cracks and sloping floors are the most common signs. Here is what to look for, what is usually cosmetic, and when to get a free inspection.
✓Clay soilCommon soils around Lubbock have a clay subsoil, according to USDA soil surveys. Clay swells when wet and shrinks when dry. When the ground moves unevenly, the house bends a little and the signs above appear.soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov
✓Rain in burstsLubbock averages about 18.6 inches of rain a year, according to the National Weather Service. September is the wettest month in its 30-year table. Long dry stretches between storms mean the soil swings from dry to soaked, over and over.weather.gov
✓Playa lakesSoil on the floors of Lubbock's playa lakes is 50 to 60 percent clay, according to USDA. It cracks up to 40 inches deep when dry. Homes on or near filled playa ground can show signs sooner.soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov
✓Older plumbingA Texas plumbing firm notes that homes built before 1980 often have cast iron drains under the slab. A slow leak can change the soil under one part of the house.chamblissplumbing.com
What it costs
Typical ranges from published cost guides, not quotes. Every job starts with a free inspection and a written price, so you see the number before any work begins.
Most foundation problems in Lubbock do not show up all at once. A door starts to drag. A thin crack grows over a summer. A tile pops. Each one is small. Together they tell a story.
Use this page as a checklist. Do you see two or three of these signs? Is one getting worse? A free inspection will tell you if your house is moving, and how much.
Inside the house
Doors that stick, drag or will not latch, especially several in one part of the house.
Doors that swing open or shut by themselves.
Cracks running from the corners of doors and windows, often at an angle.
Gaps between the wall and the ceiling, or crown molding pulling away.
Floors that slope, so a ball rolls to one side of the room.
Bouncy or soft floors in an older home with a crawl space.
Cracked or popped floor tile, often in a straight line.
Windows that stick or show a gap at one corner.
Cabinets or counters pulling away from the wall.
Baseboards with a gap under them that was not there before.
Outside the house
Stair-step cracks in brick, following the mortar lines, often near a corner.
Cracks in the slab edge, the concrete you can see at the bottom of the wall.
Brick pulling away from window or door frames.
A chimney leaning away from the house.
Gaps between the house and the porch, steps or patio.
Soil pulling away from the foundation in a dry spell, leaving a gap.
Water standing next to the house after it rains.
Gutters dumping right at a corner of the house.
Usually cosmetic
Not every crack means trouble. These are common and often harmless.
Hairline cracks in a concrete slab or garage floor that stay thin and flat.
Small cracks in drywall tape at a seam, with no sticking doors nearby.
One door that sticks only in very humid weather.
If one of these starts to grow, or shows up with other signs, have it checked.
Call soon about these
Some signs mean the house may still be moving. Call soon if you see one of these.
A crack wider than about a quarter inch.
A crack where one side sits higher than the other.
A crack that has grown since you first saw it.
Several doors that suddenly will not close.
A floor that dropped quickly.
New cracks along with a jump in your water bill.
How to track what you see
Take photos of each crack with a coin next to it for scale.
Mark the ends of each crack with a pencil and write the date.
Check again in a few weeks and after any big storm or dry spell.
Write down which doors stick and when they started.
Share it all at the inspection. It helps the crew see how fast things are changing.
What happens next
If the signs point to movement, the fix depends on your house.
Are foundation problems worse in summer or after rain in Lubbock?
Both can show them. Many homeowners see new cracks after a long dry summer, when clay soil shrinks. Others see them after a very wet stretch, when it swells. Noting when a sign showed up helps the inspector.
How serious is one door that sticks?
One sticking door can just be loose hinges or a swollen frame. Several doors sticking in one part of the house is a common sign of movement. So is a door that started sticking along with new cracks.
Can I check my floors myself?
Yes. Set a marble on a hard floor. See if it rolls the same way every time. A long level or a phone level app also helps. A crew will take real readings across the whole house.
Do new homes get foundation problems?
They can. Soil under a new house can settle. New lawns and sprinklers also change how much water reaches the soil in the first few years.
What should I do while I wait for an inspection?
Take dated photos of each crack with a coin for scale. Keep gutters flowing away from the house. Fix any sprinkler spraying the wall.
Is a high water bill a foundation sign?
It can be a sign of a leak under the slab. A leak can soften or swell the soil under one part of the house. If you see a jump in the bill along with new cracks, mention both on the call.
Get your signs checked for free
You do not have to guess. Call (806) 855-8140 or send the short form, and a local foundation crew will call you back, usually the same day. They will measure your floors, look at every crack, and tell you in writing what is happening. Homes across Lubbock and nearby towns are covered.