Most foundation problems are caused by nature, that is, soil movement.  Much of the soil of the eastern portion of Texas is composed of clay.  These clay soils can swell dramatically when saturated with water and they can shrink dramatically during extended periods of hot, dry weather. 

This annual process of swelling and shrinking puts tremendous stresses on any foundation.  Unfortunately, most residential home foundations are NOT designed or built to resist these forces of nature for the life of the home.  Home builders in Texas have been accused of building minimally functional foundations. Regardless, the need for foundation repair in Missouri City is widespread.

The majority of foundation issues arise in the summer months because the clay soils around and underneath the perimeter of the house loses most of its water content.  When the clay soils shrink during this hot, dry weather they actually “pull away” or shrink away from the home’s perimeter foundation.  When this happens there is literally nothing under a portion of the concrete slab – just air. 

There is nothing supporting a portion of the foundation and the most common problem areas are around the perimeter.  When the area of “no support” becomes to large the concrete slab will crack and “fall down” until it reaches something to support it, which is the shrunken clay soil.  This is a very common scenario in Missouri City and the technical term is Settlement.