Houston is one of the busiest foundation repair markets in the country, and the reason is the ground. Much of the area sits on clay soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry, and most homes rest on concrete slabs that move with it.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent foundation repair provider that serves the Houston area, where one is available for your ZIP code. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
Why foundations move in Houston
Expansive clay
Houston’s clay soils swell in wet weather and shrink in drought, lifting and dropping parts of the slab.
Drought and heavy rain
Long dry spells followed by heavy rain make the soil move more, which is when many cracks appear.
Slab leaks
Leaking pipes under the slab can wash away or soften soil and add to settling.
Trees
Large trees near the house can draw moisture from the soil under the foundation.
Areas across Houston
Sifixit connects callers across the city of Houston, including neighborhoods such as the Heights, Montrose, Meyerland, Memorial, Kingwood and Clear Lake, and in nearby cities such as Pasadena, Pearland, Sugar Land, Katy, Cypress, Spring and The Woodlands.
Sifixit does not have an office or staff in Houston. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses, and availability depends on your ZIP code and the job.
Permits and local rules
Cleanup itself does not usually need a permit, but the repairs that follow often do. Inside the city of Houston, larger drywall, electrical and plumbing repairs can require permits from the City of Houston Permitting Center. Homes in other cities, such as Pasadena, Pearland or Sugar Land, follow the rules of that city or county.
Texas regulates mold work through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. If smoke or firefighting water leads to mold, larger remediation jobs must be done by a licensed company.
Seasonal risks in Houston
If a wall bows sharply, a ceiling sags or cracks open suddenly, keep people out of the area and call for an inspection right away.
- Summer drought: soil shrinks and slabs settle.
- Wet seasons: soil swells and heaves.
- After heavy storms: erosion and poor drainage add to movement.
- All year: slab leaks can soften the soil.
Be prepared
- Keep gutters and downspouts working and pointed away from the house
- Make sure soil slopes away from the foundation
- Water the soil around the foundation evenly during long droughts
- Watch for warm floor spots or a rising water bill, which can mean a slab leak
- Mark the ends of cracks with the date to see if they grow
Learn more before you call
Our main foundation repair guide explains the warning signs, what affects the cost, what you can safely handle yourself and the questions to ask before you hire. It applies in Houston just as it does everywhere else.
Houston questions
Why do so many Houston homes need foundation repair?
The clay soil moves with every wet and dry cycle, and slab foundations move with it.
Do I need an engineer before foundation repair?
For anything beyond small cracks, an independent structural engineer can tell you whether repair is needed and what kind.
Does insurance cover foundation repair in Houston?
Usually not for soil movement or settling. Damage from a sudden covered event, such as a burst pipe, may be covered.
Does Sifixit have an office in Houston?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. Providers you speak to are independent local businesses that serve the Houston area.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.