Where in the DFW area seems to have the least foundation problems?
We are looking to move and have not enjoyed the foundation problems we’ve had in our current house. We’d like to move to an area that has less soil shifting. Any ideas?
Find a house with a full basement and you will have no more shifting soil problems. Many people are afraid of basements, but if it is installed properly, as most are, there is nothing to be afraid of. Every large building has at least one floor below ground, and sometimes several without a problem.
The type of soils in the DFW area expand when wet and shrink when dry. We have extreme wet and dry climate in the DFW area, so it is difficult to avoid soil movement unless you go below the weather affected zone of about 6 to 8 feet. A basement is usually 9 to 11 feet below the surface, so that basement floor, and everything resting on it (the rest of the house), will not move. when the soils shrink and expand.
Another benefit, you are not charged property tax on basement square footage. Until now, few people knew that. You get that much more house without annual property tax expense.
usually geography with solid rocks…bedrocks..
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First, I would consider looking at houses that are at least one or two years old because most of the settling has already happened. Also, try contacting the Department of Environmental control, I’m sure they can help you.
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I live in Missouri just west of St. Louis, if there is a spot big enough to put a house someone is going to put one there.
Here they have soil testing to show if the dirt will hold up to the emense weight of a house, also you want to stay away from houses that were built on solid rock the inability for your house to settle would cause it to shift and your foundation to crack.
Ther are a lot of factors that would cause your foundation to crack to many to put here but if you check into those 2 things that will help eliminate 80% of your problem
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Residential carpenter / General Contractor for 10 years
Find a house with a full basement and you will have no more shifting soil problems. Many people are afraid of basements, but if it is installed properly, as most are, there is nothing to be afraid of. Every large building has at least one floor below ground, and sometimes several without a problem.
The type of soils in the DFW area expand when wet and shrink when dry. We have extreme wet and dry climate in the DFW area, so it is difficult to avoid soil movement unless you go below the weather affected zone of about 6 to 8 feet. A basement is usually 9 to 11 feet below the surface, so that basement floor, and everything resting on it (the rest of the house), will not move. when the soils shrink and expand.
Another benefit, you are not charged property tax on basement square footage. Until now, few people knew that. You get that much more house without annual property tax expense.
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Life/building experience.
Too much foundation move is rare and you should not buy a house solely on this basis. Your home inspector can normally tell you if house can have such problem later on. Minor movements is common in almost every house.
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