I woke up this morning to a crack running across my ceiling and down my wall. Who do I call to look at this? I'm in Katy if you have specific recommendations.

I'm no expert, but it looks like foundation movement to me from the pic and the timing. There have been a bunch of threads on here with reccs.

How do I know if I just need some drywall work versus I have a bigger foundation issue?

Only true way is to have a Structural engineer or a really good foundation company come out and look. Those cracks by themselves do not scream foundation repair to me, but they are concerning and they may indicate a developing issue. Never heard of foundation repair suddenly being needed related to a storm.

You can look around that area inside and outside for other cracks, etc.

Sorry I don't have a good rec for Houston. If you were in Dallas I could help.

[This message has been edited by Absolute (edited 12/10/2012 5:37p).]

Do you possibly have a tree, vines on the side of the house, or a tall shrub just outside of the area where the crack appeared?

I'd be really worried and get a structural engineer with foundation experience out there to take a look. It's hard to tell. Houston has really expansive soils in some areas and things seem to move dramatically after a drought and then sudden heavy rain and wind. Trees also have a bad habit of moving suddenly after rain and wind, and their roots run farther than you'd think.

Don't freak out. Your house is not going to fall down even if its a foundation issue. Try www.katypros.com.

It's kind of like angieslist but for Katy only. Met the owner at the home show and it seemed like a small tight group with a real chance to get kicked out of the list if you get complaints and unresolved issues. I think they could help you out if there is a foundation person listed.

If that crack closes up or gets bigger or does both over the course of months, the. It's a foundation issue and fixable.

Was there high wind with the storm? I have inspected about a thousand homes for hurricane damage and, while mostly in frame homes, a home will "flex" with a high wind. Sorta like the skyscapers move. Drywall will not flex like the wooden frame. Brick veneer will not flex either, so if no cracks in bricks, this is not likely.

It is also possible that a sudden gust of wind can briefly pressurize your attic if the vent openings are large enough. That is a long shot, but it could put enough pressure on the drywall to crack it.

If there was no wind, disregard all of the above. You see some really weird things that wind can do.

There was definitely wind. And it is over the porta cache so it sticks out.

I'll plan to get it inspected just to be sure. Any recommendations for a structural engineer or foundation company in Houston?

There was definitely wind. And it is over the porta cache so it sticks out.

I'll plan to get it inspected just to be sure. Any recommendations for a structural engineer or foundation company in Houston?

http://www.profengineering.com/

So how does this work? I get a structural engineer to come out and do an inspection and provide a report.

If there are issues, then I have to contact a foundation company? Does the foundation company use the engineering report or do they do their own assessment? What does the engineering report give me other than a thumbs up/thumbs down on my foundation?

It looks like the engineering report will be around $500. Sound right?

Thanks again.

How old is your home?

Are you having any issues with sticking doors or windows?

Any exterior cracks visible in your foundation?

**Forgot to ask, what temperature do you normally keep that room at?**

[This message has been edited by spider96 (edited 12/20/2012 8:27p).]

I got an engineering report before I bought my house. Cost $300. Dfw area. came with a 5 page report and spot elevations of the slab. The engineer report is unbias unlike asking a foundation company that usually will recommend something that may not be needed.

How old is your home? Built in 1983

Are you having any issues with sticking doors or windows? Yes, a few doors stick and some close by themselves

Any exterior cracks visible in your foundation? No, not that I've seen

Thanks again!

If it was a newer home I'd suspect it was just house settlement. However, my internet detection skills tell me that it might be slab movement. Best to have an engineer look at it.

A storm caused that?

Any updates since this latest wind storm?

Got an engineer to look at it today. The house is sloping to one corner but not so much that it is a concern. The crack and all other issues are because of the slope. He recommended watering the foundation. I realize that I don't water my lawn in the winter so my foundation isn't getting water. I will be buying soaker hoses and an automatic timer to water the foundation daily.

Now how do I repair those cracks? Can I just fill with joint compound and paint or do I need to tape?

Thanks again.

TexAgs, the place for answers.

fwiw usually a crack related to foundation issues will not be at seams and be straight like yours. They will the majority of the time run at roughly 45 degrees and other angles. Often what happens when the drywall is first hung it will be tacked into place and another person comes behind and finishes screwing all of the seams. Quite often some seams get overlooked and end up getting floated over without being anchored properly to the framing. All is well until the slab decides to move a little and the drywall will pop at the joints where it is not anchored completely. To repair yours install some 1 1/4 inch course thread drywall screws to make sure it is secure to the framing. If the cracks are over an existing taped joint it is best to remove the old tape completely and repair with a fiberglass mess tape. Your pictures are not very detailed but it looks like you possible have spray on texture that can be matched with one of 2 cans from any homedepot. The most common types are orange peel or knock down texture. Make sure you get the water based kind.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100154309/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=wall+texture&storeId=10051#.UNy4qqy03Sg


http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&R=100000364&catEntryId=100000364#.UNy5MKy03Sg




http://www.wikihow.com/Repair-Drywall-Tape-That-Is-Separating-from-Your-Walls



[This message has been edited by JP76 (edited 12/27/2012 3:14p).]

tmas,

Who did you use? I'll give them a call and see if using a recommendation can benefit you.

FIFY

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100154309/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=wall+texture&storeId=10051#.UNy4qqy03Sg


http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&R=100000364&catEntryId=100000364#.UNy5MKy03Sg




http://www.wikihow.com/Repair-Drywall-Tape-That-Is-Separating-from-Your-Walls

quote:

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tmas,

Who did you use? I'll give them a call and see if using a recommendation can benefit you.

---

http://criterium-farrell.com/

They were very professional. I was extremely happy with the experience.

I agree with JP76. I lived for 9 years in Corsicana with very active soil. Nearly all slabs moved. Nearly all cracks radiated out from doors and windows, usually a 45 degree angle. FEMA didn't like to pay for leveling a pier and beam house if a hurricane shifted the house. The location of the cracks was a critical clue to differentiate between vertical movement or horizontal movement. I had several squabbles with the QC guys over this same issue. They usually didn't last long when the found out I was a PE. That doesn't mean that you don't have/had slab movement.

I personally wouldn't worry too much about it unless it happens again. If the cracks come back, and there is no storm, then you know the slab may be a contributing factor. Also watch the brick veneer. If you have much slab movement, it usually shows up there also as cracks in the mortar joints.

Usually, slab movement is exacerbated by differences in the moisture content of the soil around your foundation. Watering the foundation is to assure a uniform moisture content all around the slab. If you have extensive landscaping on one side of the house and just ground cover on the other, the landscaping will suck moisture out of the soil more than the ground cover. Typically, moisture causes the soil to expand and it will shrink when dried. Just FYI.