Congratulations, you just purchased a newly built home. You’ve got new pristine walls, fresh paint smell, and gleaming floors. This confidence comes with knowing everything in the home is built right and will last a lifetime. But one day, you notice small cracks appearing on your walls just a few months after closing, and your doors and windows are starting to stick? These scenarios, unfortunately, happen more than you’d think. And when they do, you can refer to this blog about warranty coverage for foundation repair.
Foundation Problems in New Homes
People don’t realize that new doesn’t mean your pier and beam or slab foundation won’t have issues. Your builder might have done everything right and used quality materials, but foundation problems can still develop within the first few years.
The ground underneath your home will need time to fully settle with all the added weight pressing down on it. Even after soil gets properly graded during construction. This process can last months or even years, depending on soil and weather conditions. In a place like Fort Worth and Dallas, TX these problems are much worse.
The weather is a bigger factor than most homeowners consider. When there are extended dry periods followed by heavy rains, this can cause soil to shrink and expand in Fort Worth and Dallas, TX. These shifts in the soil put stress on your foundation, which wasn’t there during construction. Your foundation might handle this stress just fine, or it might develop minor issues that need attention.
What Your Warranty Actually Says
Home warranties vary depending on the builder. Highland Homes offers a 10-year structural, two-year mechanical, and one year functional warranty. Foundation repair usually falls under that structural category, but always read over the contract. Which is a good warranty for newly built homes.
But be worried when some builders use the word “defect” in their contracts. Your warranty usually covers problems that result from faulty materials or improper installation. It sometimes doesn’t cover “normal settling” or issues caused by environmental factors. This distinction may cause a lot of frustration for homeowners. What looks like a problem to you might look like normal settling to your builder. And proving the difference often requires documentation and professional inspection of your foundation. Your warranty also has specific requirements about reporting problems within certain timeframes. So make sure you communicate with your builder in a timely manner.
Early Common Issues
After years of dealing with foundation repair in newer homes, we are familiar with what to look out for. If you see hairline cracks in the foundation or walls, this can be a sign of foundation shifting. They don’t always mean trouble. They can sometimes develop as concrete continues curing and the house settles. More concerning are cracks that keep growing. If you start to notice gaps where walls meet floors, or doors and windows are harder to operate, it’s time to take action. These issues might be a sign that construction defects should be covered under warranty, but you’ll need documentation.
Water drainage creates another problem with foundation issues. If your home has poor drainage around the house, inadequate waterproofing, or grading that directs water toward the foundation can cause problems. Water management can sometimes be covered by your warranty depending on how the contract is written.
The Challenge of Proving Coverage
Sometimes filing a warranty claim for foundation repair isn’t as simple as calling your builder. Builders require documentation showing that the issue does not meet normal settling tolerances and is caused by incorrect construction.
You’ll probably need to provide photos, measurements, and sometimes professional inspection. With Maestros Foundation Repair we can help get to the root of your problem. We offer a free inspection on your home’s foundation. Some builders may argue that problems resulted from homeowner actions. Something along the lines of poor drainage maintenance or changes in landscaping that changed the water flow near the home’s foundation.
Getting Professional Help When You Need It
When foundation issues develop in your new home, getting an independent professional inspection makes the difference between successful and unsuccessful warranty claims. Foundation repair experts understand the difference between construction defects and traditional settling. They provide the documentation builders require.
We see this situation regularly at Maestro’s Foundation Repair. Homeowners call us frustrated because their builder claims foundation problems are normal, while their cracks continue to grow. An independent evaluation should provide an objective analysis that either supports or contradicts warranty coverage claims.
Professional assessments also help you understand what’s needed to correct the home. Having an expert on your side helps you make the best decision.
Protecting Your Home
Homeowners can protect themselves from purchasing new homes during the initial walkthrough. Make sure to take detailed photos and videos of any cracks or gaps you notice. These photos become a useful form of documentation if problems get worse later.
Make sure to keep an eye on monitoring your foundation for the first couple of months of ownership. After a day of rain, walk around your home or crawl space. Look for new cracks or changes in existing ones. Make sure to check all your cabinets, doors, and windows that might be shifting.
Making The Best Decisions
Foundation problems in new homes feel like they don’t happen. The key is understanding the options you have and making the best decision based on them.
If you’re dealing with warranty claims, working with experienced foundation repair professionals makes a lot smoother. They understand warranty requirements, know how to work with builders, and can make repairs correctly.
At Maestro’s Foundation Repair, we help new homeowners fix these issues regularly. Our detailed inspection identifies problems that are likely the result of settling. This will give you the information needed to make good decisions about repairs and warranty claims.
Taking Action When Problems Develop
Don’t let foundation repair needs in your new home create unnecessary stress or financial burden. Understanding your warranty coverage helps you respond appropriately, but it shouldn’t delay necessary repairs that protect your investment. Contact Maestro’s Foundation Repair for a free professional evaluation of foundation issues in your new home.