Common indicators of foundation distress include diagonal or stair-step cracking in drywall or brick veneer, doors and windows that stick or will not latch, visible gaps between walls and ceilings or floors, uneven or sloping floors, and exterior separation at corners or around windows. If you observe any of these symptoms, a Professional Engineer evaluation is the appropriate first step.

A foundation inspection is typically a visual assessment performed by an inspector, often during a real estate transaction. A foundation engineering evaluation is performed by a licensed Professional Engineer and includes detailed measurement of floor elevations, analysis of differential movement, identification of the probable cause, and a PE-stamped recommendation. The engineering evaluation provides a higher level of technical rigor and is the document lenders, contractors, and attorneys rely upon.

The Dallas-Fort Worth region sits on expansive clay soils that undergo significant volume changes with moisture fluctuation. Prolonged drought causes the soil to shrink and pull away from foundations, while heavy rain causes the soil to swell and exert upward pressure. This repeated cycle of shrinkage and expansion generates differential movement that cracks and distorts foundations over time. It is the predominant geotechnical challenge in the region.

Many lenders, title companies, and real estate attorneys in the DFW market require a PE letter — a stamped engineering opinion — before closing a property transaction where foundation repair has been performed or is recommended. A PE letter from Platform Engineering provides an independent, licensed assessment that satisfies these requirements.

Pier depth in the Dallas-Fort Worth area depends on the soil profile at the specific site. Steel push piers are typically driven 20 to 40 or more feet to reach stable bearing strata below the active zone of expansive clay. Helical piers are installed to a specified torque that correlates with the required load capacity. Concrete press piles are driven to refusal, which may be shallower and less predictable. Our PE specifies pier depth based on geotechnical data and structural loading requirements.

Yes. New foundation design for expansive clay is one of our core services. We review the geotechnical report for your site, analyze the structural loads, and design a foundation system — slab-on-grade, post-tension, or pier and beam — that is engineered to accommodate the anticipated soil behavior. The result is a PE-stamped foundation plan ready for permit submission.