--- title: "Foundation Cracks: When to Worry | Different Roofing" description: "Foundation cracks: when to worry, which cracks are normal in North Texas clay soil, which are warning signs, and when to get your slab evaluated." url: https://www.differentroofing.com/blogs/foundation-cracks-when-to-worry/ language: en source: Different Roofing LLC --- 1. [Home](https://www.differentroofing.com/) 2. / 3. [Blogs](https://www.differentroofing.com/blogs/) 4. / 5. Foundation Cracks # Foundation Cracks: When to Worry in North Texas By Matt Rush · Updated October 26, 2026 Almost every home in North Texas has a crack somewhere. The region sits on expansive clay that swells when it gets wet and shrinks when it dries out, and that constant movement shows up in slabs, brick, and drywall. Most small cracks are harmless. Some are early signs of a foundation that needs attention. Here is how to tell the difference. ## Why North Texas Foundations Move Much of Dallas–Fort Worth is built on Blackland Prairie clay. After heavy rain, the clay soaks up water and swells. During a long, hot summer, it dries out, shrinks, and pulls away from the slab. When one side of a house stays wetter than the other, from a leaky downspout, a slope toward the house, or a large tree pulling moisture out of the soil, the slab moves unevenly. That uneven movement is what causes most foundation problems here. ## Cracks That Are Usually Normal - Thin, hairline cracks in the garage floor or slab that are not growing - Small vertical cracks in drywall that appear after the house goes through a season change - Minor settling cracks in a newer home's first few years Keep an eye on them. Mark the ends with a pencil and date them, and check again in a few months. ## Signs of Foundation Problems Worth Checking - **Stair-step cracks in brick** that follow the mortar lines up the wall - **Diagonal cracks** running from the corners of doors and windows - **Doors that stick**, will not latch, or swing open or shut on their own - **Gaps** between the brick and window frames, or between baseboards and the floor - **Sloping or uneven floors**, or cabinets pulling away from the wall - **Cracks that keep growing**, or several of these signs showing up together One sign alone does not mean you have a cracked foundation that needs repair. Several at once, or cracks that keep getting wider, are a good reason to have the foundation evaluated. ## Pier-and-Beam Homes Older homes in some neighborhoods sit on pier-and-beam foundations instead of a slab. Warning signs there include bouncy or sagging floors, doors that drift, and gaps at the baseboards. These foundations can often be adjusted or shimmed rather than lifted. ## Keeping Water Under Control The best thing you can do for a foundation on clay is keep moisture even around the house. Make sure your [gutters](https://www.differentroofing.com/services/gutter-installation-repair/) are sized correctly and clear, extend downspouts several feet from the slab, and keep the soil sloping away from the house. During long droughts, steady watering near the foundation can help limit shrinkage. ## What an Evaluation Looks Like Our [foundation repair](https://www.differentroofing.com/services/foundation-repair/) team checks the home inside and out, measures how much and where the slab has moved, and looks at drainage around the house. If a repair is needed, it may include piers installed under the slab to support and lift low areas, drainage corrections, or both. You get a written recommendation before any work begins. Se habla español. Call [(682) 400-6163](tel:6824006163) to schedule a foundation evaluation anywhere in Dallas–Fort Worth. 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Usually. Thin cracks that are not growing are common in North Texas. Mark and date them, and check again in a few months. - What foundation cracks should I worry about? Stair-step cracks in brick, diagonal cracks from door and window corners, sticking doors, and cracks that keep growing are worth having evaluated. - Do gutters really affect my foundation? Yes. Overflowing gutters and short downspouts soak the clay next to the slab, which can cause uneven movement. #### Cracks, Sticking Doors or Uneven Floors? #### Free Foundation Inspections Across DFW Schedule a Free Foundation Inspection