Common Foundation Problem and Its Quick Fix

So I've been receiving a lot of the same phone calls lately.

"Jeremy, my doors are struggling to close. What do I do?"

"Jeremy, I'm seeing small cracks above my windows and door frames. What is causing this?"

"Who should I call for foundation repair? The house is definitely settling."

Let me begin by saying that the word "foundation" elicits panic in people. Repairs are often very expensive and complex. A lot of scenarios run through my head when I'm asked about foundations but my very FIRST question to my clients is:

"When was the last time you watered your yard and landscaping?"

Nine of out 10 times, the answer is "uh, it's been awhile, I guess." 

Of course major issues can always be a possibility but when I advised my clients to water the perimeter of their home 2-3 times per week with a soaker hose, a couple feet off the foundation, guess what? They said everything eventually shifted back and they were able to close doors properly, windows properly, you name it. And yes, you need to water in winter, too, because we are in drought mode here in the Midwest.

The moral of the story is that your home needs consistent soil moisture around it. The occasional rain shower and snow often don't do the trick, especially if your older home is susceptible to settling. Water, water, water! It truly makes a huge difference and often saves homeowners thousands of dollars in unneccesary repair.

If you have any further questions, I'd love to chat. Water is always a good place to start but further investigation and repair may be needed. I always have a thorough Rolodex of professional service providers to share with you!