Where are the Top 15 U.S. Metro Areas with Foundation Issues?

Foundation problems are some of the leading sources of concern for homeowners. And rightly so.

Your foundation must uphold your entire house and everything in it. However, damage from various causes threatens your home’s stability and your family’s safety.

We’ve reviewed the top metro areas with foundation issues and provided not only a list but insight into the signs and causes of problems. Read on to learn more and discover if your home is at risk.

1. Sherman, TX – Ada, OK
2. San Antonio, TX
3. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
4. Tyler-Longview, TX
5. Kansas City, MO
6. Grand Junction-Montrose, CO
7. Wichita Falls, TX – Lawton, OK
8. Waco-Temple-Bryan, TX
9. Columbia-Jefferson City, MO
10. Jackson, MS
11. St. Louis, MO
12. Abilene-Sweetwater, TX
13. Shreveport, LA
14. Austin, TX
15. Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA

Six out of the 15 metro areas discussed with significant foundation issues are located in Texas.

The state’s unique soil composition and climate are to blame. Much of Texas sits on expansive clay soil, notorious for its tendency to expand when wet and shrink when dry. This constant swelling and contracting creates intense pressure on home foundations, leading to cracks, uneven settling, and other structural issues over time.

Texas is also known for its extreme weather patterns, further contributing to foundation problems. The state often experiences periods of heavy rainfall followed by intense drought, creating rapid shifts in soil moisture levels.

These drastic changes cause the ground to shift and settle unevenly, exacerbating the risk of foundation damage. Moreover, certain regions in Texas are prone to flooding, adding another layer of risk for homes built on unstable soil. These combined factors make Texas one of the most challenging states for maintaining a stable foundation, placing several cities among the top metro areas with foundation concerns.

• Cracks: They can appear in the foundation, exterior bricks, interior walls, ceilings, and floors. 
• Sagging or Uneven Floors: Watch for a slight tilt to the flooring and any sagging.
• Slab Leaks: Waterline or sewer line leaks can develop from a shifting foundation.
• Doors and Windows: Out-of-square or sticking doors or windows are a sure sign of a foundation issue.
• Cabinet Doors: Kitchen or bathroom cabinet doors that don’t stay closed mean they or the wall is tilting, usually driven by a moving foundation.

• Chimney and Fireplace: Watch for a leaning chimney as well as leaks and cracks around the fireplace.
• Water in Basements: This can be caused by several things from foundation cracks to inadequate drainage. Find out more about basement flooding. 
• Mold and Mildew: This can appear in crawl spaces and basements due to excess moisture and can be caused by foundation issues.
• Rotten Wood: Whether in a crawl space or basement, it’s a sure sign of excess moisture.

• Foundation Settling: Settling of a foundation is normal within the first few years after construction. But over time, other factors can come into play that cause excess settling, resulting in damage to the foundation.
• Exterior Grading: Any rainfall needs to move away from your home before it can seep into the ground. Your landscape should be graded to help make that happen.
• Gutters and Downspouts: Gutters collect rain off the roof, guide it to the downspouts, and deliver it out to the properly graded runoff. Make sure your gutters aren’t clogged with leaves and that the downspouts are moving the water away from the foundation.
• Weather Extremes: Heavy rain and storms can lead to flooded basements and crawl spaces as well as shifting slabs. Drought can dry out the soil causing shifting that can damage foundations.
• Tree and Shrub Roots: As trees and shrubs grow, if planted too close to the foundation, their roots can physically shift the foundation. They can also remove water from the soil during a dry spell or drought. This disrupts the foundation.