Central Texas “Sinking Homes” Story Missed the Real Cause
Howdy,
I just read a FOX 7 Austin piece about homes “sinking” in Buda and Kyle. A homeowner described the front of the house dropping almost three inches and spending about $20,000 on supports to lift it back up.
The article is right about one thing: Texas has shrink-swell clays, and moisture changes can wreck foundations.
But here’s what I believe is the bigger story — the story that keeps getting skipped.
Why this keeps showing up around year 7–10
2017 neighborhoods are now hitting that time window where the trees aren’t “cute landscaping” anymore — they’re mature enough to pull serious moisture. And when those trees are in the front yard, you get the classic pattern:
- Front edge drops first (exactly what that homeowner described).
- Cracks appear inside and outside at the front portion of the structure.
- Then the fix becomes “underpinning,” because nobody addressed why the soil dried out unevenly in the first place.
Plain English: the foundation isn’t “randomly failing.” The soil is shrinking where it’s getting robbed of moisture — and trees are one of the most aggressive thieves in Texas clay.
The news talked about moisture… but not the moisture thieves
The FOX 7 story included expert comments about clay that expands when wet and shrinks when dry, and that most issues trace back to moisture. That’s true.
What it didn’t say (and what homeowners deserve to hear) is that trees often create the most lopsided moisture pattern of all, especially when they’re planted tight to the slab and tight to each other.
The preventable solution nobody wants to talk about
Root barriers aren’t sexy. They don’t have TV commercials. They don’t feel like “construction.”
But in many cases, they’re the closest thing to true foundation repair we have — because they address the cause: uneven moisture loss at the slab perimeter.
Here’s the simplest way to say it: Underpinning lifts a symptom. Root barriers help stop the cause from repeating.
I installed a root barrier at my own home for this exact reason, and I’ve seen dramatic recoveries when barriers were installed and moisture stabilized.
Read: Root Barriers for Foundation Protection (and why I did it at my own home)
What happens next if the cause isn’t addressed
When the moisture pattern stays uneven, the “repair” path usually becomes the same story Texans have been living for decades:
- Foundation moves → damage appears → homeowner gets scared.
- Repair company sells underpinning (often the default move).
- The underpinned portion becomes more static while the rest stays dynamic.
- New movement shows up elsewhere… and the cycle continues.
If you want my deeper take on why the foundation repair industry often creates long-term side effects (especially in expansive clay), this is the post:
Read: Why I Stopped Selling Foundation Repair
What homeowners can do right now (without panicking)
If you’re in Buda, Kyle, the Hill Country, Houston, or anywhere with expansive clays, here’s the sane first move:
- Document cracks (mark and date them so you can track change).
- Look for the pattern (front drop? tree side? corner? driveway edge?).
- Get an unbiased evaluation from a licensed professional who doesn’t sell foundation repair.
- Address moisture + drainage the right way (not “flood it,” not “ignore it”).
- Consider root barriers when trees are close — especially when there are multiple oaks competing for water.
My long-term goal: make root barriers a Texas standard
I started a petition to make root barriers a code requirement in new home construction across Texas. If we want to stop the cycle, we have to stop building “future foundation repair jobs” into brand-new neighborhoods.
Support Root Barrier Code Reform (Sign the Petition)
FOX 7 Austin — Experts weigh in on home foundation issues in Central Texas
The article also mentions the USDA Web Soil Survey tool — useful for seeing mapped soil types in your area. Web Soil Survey
And yes — even if you’re not in Houston, I’m still here to help. The clay + moisture + tree problem doesn’t care what city you live in.
Want a Straight Answer About Your Foundation?
If you’re seeing cracks, separation, sticking doors, or front-edge drop — don’t start with a repair company. Start with an unbiased evaluation so you don’t buy the wrong “solution.”
Howdy — pronunciation and use
Respelling: HAY-ow-dee · IPA: /ˈhaʊ.di/ · Region: Southeast Texas & Greater Houston–Gulf Coast
Forms: Formal “Howdy.” Informal “Howdy, howdy.”
Tone: Slower = warmer and more affectionate.
Etiquette: Friendly greeting for neighbors, guests, and kin; not for adversaries.
Origin: From “How do you do,” carried into Texas speech by trail and rail towns.