As a senior construction inspector with over 25 years of experience. I can tell you the there are a number of reasons for these foundation failures. The engineering firms design is usually adequate but the specifications are not followed. It all comes down to the soil and concrete. The soil used as fill material should not have a high plasticity index (PI). The PI are specified to be below a certain level and samples of the soil should be tested and the range should be strictly enforced. High PI clays should not be allowed under a foundation due to the expansion and contraction. Low PI clays or sand or even crushed limestone are the best subgrade materials to use under a foundation. These materials still need to be compacted to there maximum dry density. The concrete is also specified to be within a certain range and they should be strictly enforced also. The problem is the engineering firms do not enforce their own specification because their clients are the same people who build the homes. They are not independent and don't want to lose a client. It is in the home owners best interest to hire a construction inspector to monitor the progress of the foundation construction. Don't rely on the engineering firms technicians because either they don't care what happens or they are encouraged to look the other way. The inspector can take pictures and document the progress and can be given the power to stop the construction in its tracks if the builder is not complying to the specifications. He should be a third party inspector looking out for the best interests of the home owner.

Does this "surprise" you? Not only are the homes NOT! and repeat NOT! built to building code, but fire codes as well since by I.R.C code standards any home built after January 1, 2011 are by code standards are to be equipped with fire sprinkler systems, but as you and I know just because code requires something does not mean the "builder" will do it only when they are faced with a lawsuit is only when "poopy" will hit the fan and also the State of Texas is also to "blame" due to the FACT! that Texas does not have a state building code(s) and niether less care if the home is built safe because of "safe harbor" laws designed to protect one "party" and "screw" the next. Texas is one of the worse states to have a home built in. Buyer Beware!

It doesn't end with Home builder’s poor construction but starts with the selling process. From faulty claims of their warranty during the sales process to the forms they file with the federal gov't. Home builders begin by falsifying the 92541HUD form that tells the gov't that there is not expansive soils or hazards that need to be mitigated. Just because this might not be you with one of the homes or an FHA or VA loan don't think it doesn't affect you. HUD backed those loans and for some homeowners the problems are too great or the home becomes inhabitable that they let it go into foreclosure. The # of these cases are increasing for this but, also have another impact. When the values of the homes begin to decline it dominoes down into the taxing entities, city, county, and most of all YOUR SCHOOLS. The way this happens, is that with the decline of home values the school district, city, and county must increase the tax rate in order to collect the same amount as last year…leaving the burden to all the citizens for the damaged homes. I could go on to tell you the greater impact because there are many but, please understand this becomes everyone’s problem in the end that the BUILDER CREATED. The problem is a growing problem not declining so ask your legislatures to support their constituents with laws that protect the homeowners of Texas. Stop allowing them to be paid off by the builders with campaign contributions and speak up. Contact your Congressman and ask them why your government is not holding accountability for these homebuilders who have continuously falsified and deceived the federal government and the citizens of the U.S. To end, if you think it is too expensive for them to fix, think again & look at these homebuilders last 10 years of investment (profit) reports, they have one of the highest profit margins out there. Nothing is wrong with profits as long as you’re not raping and pilferaging people & communities along the way. CALL YOUR LEGISLATURES TODAY!

more corporatee capitalizm crimes!

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Why would any place but a third world country allow builders to cut corners and weasel out of proper building procedures? Castro thinks cable cars are going to make San Antonio a world class city? How about building houses that don't fall apart Julian?

Sad to say our home is suffering foundation issues too out in Cibolo. Looks like our lot is on expansive soils and we're seeing cracks in our brick, multiple dry wall cracks over 2' long, swinging doors, soffit pulling away from the garage, shower pulling away from the wall, and other issues in addition to having foundation cracks. Our city officials have been proactive on the issue trying to encourage lawmakers to pass a Homeowner Protection Act. This would help future home buyers but folks like us are left to see our home values plummet. We hoped this would be our last home being retired from the military and being a disabled veteran but.......we're faced with a possible loss on a sale and looking to head out of the area.

Glad to hear this problem being brought up - I live in Falcon Ridge in Cibolo and this is a big problem we are facing with our builder DR Horton who cut many corners to make a profit while building in the area. The buyer is left with expensive problems that don't appear until the builder has moved on and the builder continues to make a profit elsewhere with their next victim.

The City of San Antonio does not review plans for structural designs. The City of San Antonio does not inspect foundations. The City delegated this inspection to the engineers. The engineers hired by the home builders are too busy to conduct foundation inspections and it can get too costly for the home builder. Therefore, the engineers send a technician to conduct the inspections and minimize the cost to the home builder. That is a problem!!!

This is a timely article. The associated list is mostly recent construction, as these shortcuts have been taking place for many years. More especially building outside of the city limits then the city annexed the areas. The major foundation problems mostly show up after the builders warranty has expired and the homeowner foots the expense.

C'mon out to Cibolo, you'll find faulty foundations all over the place.