Does A Texas Freeze Cause More Foundation Damage Than Summer Droughts?
Understanding How Extreme Weather Affects Dallas-Fort Worth Foundations and Which Threat Poses the Greater Risk
If you are a homeowner in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, you have likely experienced both ends of Texas’s extreme weather spectrum. From the historic February 2021 freeze that brought our entire region to a standstill to the relentless summer droughts that turn our lawns brown and crack our soil, North Texas weather keeps us on our toes. But when it comes to your home’s foundation, which extreme poses the greater threat? At Steady House Foundation Repair, we have spent years serving Plano, Dallas, Frisco, and surrounding communities, giving us firsthand insight into how both freezing temperatures and scorching droughts impact the foundations beneath our homes.
Since establishing our foundation repair business, our team has diagnosed and repaired foundations affected by every weather extreme our region throws at us. With our BBB A+ rating and deep understanding of the expansive clay soils that define the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, we believe in empowering homeowners with knowledge. The truth is, both freeze-thaw cycles and summer droughts create serious foundation challenges, but they do so in very different ways. Understanding the mechanics behind each type of damage, recognizing the warning signs, and knowing which threat statistically causes more problems in our area can help you protect your most valuable investment. Let’s break down the science, compare the risks, and help you make informed decisions about foundation protection.
How Freeze-Thaw Cycles Damage North Texas Foundations
When temperatures plunge below freezing, as they did during the devastating February 2021 event, moisture in the soil undergoes a dramatic transformation. Water freezes into ice, expanding by approximately 9% as it transitions from liquid to solid. This expansion creates upward pressure on your foundation, a phenomenon engineers call “frost heave.” As ice crystals form within soil pores, they literally push soil particles upward and apart, stressing whatever sits above them.
The real damage occurs during the thaw. When temperatures rise and ice melts, those lifted soil particles do not fully settle back into their original positions. Instead, the freeze-thaw cycle permanently alters the soil structure, creating larger pore spaces and reducing the soil’s load-bearing capacity. Research shows that after just 10 freeze-thaw cycles, soil strength can decrease by 6% to 22%. For Plano and Dallas homeowners, this means that foundations can experience uneven settling as weakened soil fails to provide consistent support.
The good news for North Texas residents is that prolonged freezing conditions remain relatively rare in our region. While we occasionally experience brief cold snaps and the 2021 freeze was historic, our climate simply does not subject foundations to the repeated freeze-thaw cycles that plague homes in northern states. The DFW area typically sees only a handful of hard freezes each winter, limiting the cumulative impact of this particular threat.
How Summer Droughts Wreak Havoc on DFW Foundations
Here is where the bigger challenge lies for Dallas-Fort Worth homeowners. The expansive clay soil that dominates our region behaves like a sponge, swelling dramatically when wet and shrinking substantially when dry. During our notorious Texas summers, when temperatures routinely exceed 100 degrees and rainfall becomes scarce, this clay soil dries out and contracts, pulling away from your foundation.
Foundation repair specialists across the DFW area have reported a 25% to 30% increase in repair calls during recent extreme heat periods. The statistics are striking: foundations in our area have been documented sinking up to 2 inches during prolonged drought conditions. This is not normal settling. When the soil beneath the center of your foundation retains more moisture than the soil around the perimeter (which dries out first), you get differential movement. One part of your foundation stays supported while another loses ground contact, literally.
The ongoing drought that began in 2020 and continues to impact parts of Texas through 2026 has created persistent foundation stress. Unlike the occasional freeze event, summer drought is an annual reality in North Texas. Every single year, our expansive clay soils go through dramatic moisture fluctuations, creating a chronic source of foundation movement that accumulates over time.
The Verdict: Which Weather Extreme Causes More Damage in Dallas-Fort Worth?
While both extremes threaten foundations, the evidence clearly shows that summer droughts pose a significantly greater and more consistent risk to Dallas-Fort Worth area homes. Here is why: frequency matters. We experience intense summer heat and drought conditions every single year, subjecting foundations to constant stress cycles. The expansive clay soil in Plano, Dallas, Frisco, and throughout the metroplex reacts dramatically to these moisture changes.
Research indicates that damage from expansive clay soils actually exceeds the combined average annual damage from floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes. That is a remarkable statistic that underscores just how destructive our soil type can be when subjected to extreme drying. The 2021 freeze was devastating and certainly caused foundation issues, but it was a singular historic event. Summer drought stress happens reliably, predictably, and cumulatively.
Foundation repair professionals throughout the DFW area consistently report that the vast majority of foundation problems they address stem from soil moisture issues related to drought and heat rather than freeze damage. The shrink-swell cycle of our expansive clay creates ongoing structural stress that manifests as cracked walls, sticking doors and windows, uneven floors, and visible foundation cracks.
Protecting Your Foundation from Both Weather Extremes
Regardless of which weather extreme poses the greater statistical threat, smart homeowners take proactive steps to protect their foundations year-round. The most effective strategy focuses on maintaining consistent soil moisture levels around your foundation’s perimeter. During dry periods (which dominate our climate), use soaker hoses placed 20 to 24 inches from your foundation to keep the soil from becoming excessively dry. You are aiming for a consistency similar to Play-Doh, tacky but not saturated.
Proper drainage remains critical. Ensure your gutters and downspouts direct water at least 5 feet away from your foundation. Grade your landscape so that water flows away from your home rather than pooling against it. These measures help during both heavy rains (which can cause rapid soil expansion) and during normal conditions by preventing moisture concentration in vulnerable areas.
Watch for warning signs regardless of the season. Cracks in walls or ceilings, doors and windows that suddenly stick or will not latch properly, gaps appearing between walls and trim, and visible foundation cracks all warrant professional inspection. Early detection dramatically reduces repair costs and prevents minor issues from becoming major structural problems.
Concerned about how North Texas weather extremes are affecting your foundation? Steady House Foundation Repair offers comprehensive foundation inspections throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Contact us today for an honest assessment from our experienced team. Serving Plano, Dallas, Frisco, and surrounding communities with transparent pricing, quality repairs, and the local expertise you need to protect your home. Call Steady House Foundation Repair now and let us help you understand exactly what is happening beneath your home.