Why Midland-Odessa Homes Keep Cracking and Sinking

It seems like just about everyone who owns property in Midland-Odessa has had their dealings with cracked driveways, sidewalks, concrete, or foundations. Is this a product of bad construction?  No.  This seems to stem from the Permian Basin's soft, yet unstable soil beneath our feet.

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Soft Shifting West Texas Soil Wreaks Havoc

The soft ground that makes up a large portion of the Permian Basin consists mostly of clay and is notorious for shifting.  This can cause uneven floors, cracks in sidewalks or walls, and even misaligned doors that cannot open.  These types of incidents can cost literal thousands of dollars, and there is seemingly almost nothing we can do about it.

What Causes The Ground To Shift?

The shifting ground is unstable, namely due to the elements.  Whether the ground is dry or wet, the fluctuation of moisture can cause the clay to shrink or expand, thus resulting in issues on the surface.  This causes constant pushing and pulling on foundations in our area.

Cost For Repairs

What it takes to repair often has multiple variables.  This depends on what was damaged and how severe it is.  Needless to say, the cost can be expensive.  Real estate agents often say that foundation repair is the biggest deal-breaker when it comes to buying property.

How To Prevent

There is no surefire way to prevent this from happening.  After all, this is what some would call an "act of god".  However, there are some measures one can take, so it is not entirely hopeless.  Here are a few.

• Regularly check your foundation for cracks or anomalies.
• Prevent large trees from growing near your home or building.
• Use soaker hoses around the property's perimeter to maintain consistent moisture levels in the soil.