If you live in San Antonio, you are accustomed to good ghost stories. And being a homeowner, you might have some scary stories of your own especially when you hear something go bump in the night. But before you hire an exorcist, you might want to hire a structural engineer since those scary noises could be caused by problems with your foundation. 

Virginia-based Groundworks, a foundation services company, said earlier this year that Texas held eight spots on its list of the  top 15 metro areas with foundation issues. Using data from Google Trends, it found that San Antonio was No. 2. Total Foundation Repair San Antonio reported that approximately 1 in 5 homeowners will experience foundation issues during their residency in San Antonio. 

Homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover wear and tear and foundations shift over time, which can lead to cracks in your home's structure.

What Causes Bumps in the Night?

A mixture of soil type, foundation type and weather is the primary cause of many of the state’s foundation woes. San Antonio’s soil is primarily sandy-clay, which means when it gets wet and dries back up, it does a lot of contraction and expansion, which causes your foundation to shift. With Texas’ high rainfall, the soil under our houses undergoes contraction and expansion quite often. Now, pair this with concrete slab -- the most common foundation type in San Antonio built on top of soil -- your foundation is guaranteed to shift at some point.

How to Tell if You have a Haunted House or Bad Foundation

To know if your foundation is at risk, check your house for all the classic haunted house signs: cracks above your door frames, creaky floors, or windows and doors that just won’t close right. Don’t forget to check the outside of your home. Look for cracks in exterior walls, excessive cracking in the soil surrounding the base of your exterior walls and the straightness of your walls. These are all tell-tale signs that you’re at risk for foundation problems.

When to Perform an Exorcism?

Foundation repair is like surgery for a home and can be very costly from several hundred to several thousands of dollars. But not all is hopeless. A few ways to protect your home from unwanted spirits include proper drainage, watering your foundation during droughts and concrete lifting. Make sure to clean out gutters to avoid clogs and have the correct length of downspouts. During dry conditions, trees and shrubs will take moisture out of the soil. If these roots are near the foundation, it can cause the surrounding soil to expand and contract, causing the foundation to possibly crack. Homeowners can use an automatic lawn sprinkler or soaker hoses to keep the dirt around their structure slightly moist. Concrete lifting (if deemed necessary due to the cost) is another tool homeowners can use to prevent foundation problems. This process involves professionals pumping polyurethane grout under your home to raise the foundation back to its original position.

Don’t Be Fooled!

The first step in getting your foundation inspected is getting an unbiased opinion. While some foundation companies may offer free assessments, getting multiple estimates can lead to varying prices. Consult with a licensed structural engineer which can give an accurate and unbiased opinion of your home. The engineer’s report will highlight any areas of concern and recommend specific repair methods – if necessary. You can then use the Engineer’s Report to get quotes from repair companies.

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