Our Amarillo Area Foundation Inspections Are EXTREMELY Thorough, For Good Reason

Unlike Some Foundation Repair Companies, Our 27-Point Analysis Pours Over Every Detail. We Leave NOTHING To Chance.

We have our reasons for taking the time to inspect every nook and cranny when it comes to your foundation.  While some foundation repair companies in the Texas panhandle will give you a quick 10 minute inspection, our 27-Point Analysis can take as long as a couple of hours to make sure we note EVERY issue the first time.

Here’s why that’s good for you and why to watch out for anyone who claims to understand your foundation problems off of one quick glance.

What Are We Looking For?

The answer to that question is a LOT of things. Foundation and settling issues can cause various symptoms ranging from the extremely subtle to the extremely obvious. Taking the time to make sure you have located every possible symptom is CRUCIAL to figuring out what is wrong and developing a repair plan.

As for the basics, we always measure the level of your basement, floors, and foundation. We also have to check your doors and windows for signs of misalignment.

Our 27-Point Analysis doesn’t stop there, though. We also inspect your soil, measure moisture levels, and ultimately utilize over one DOZEN high-tech tools to get to the source of your foundation problems.

Signs You Should Call Us

While you may not have the tools we have at your disposal, there are some signs you can look for that can tell you if an inspection is a good idea.

Cracks are common in concrete, tile, and even brick, so don’t panic just because you see some cracking in your tile or concrete.  Cracks are not always a sign of serious foundational damage.

There are some clues we use to ascertain if cracks are, in fact, symptomatic of a shifting or sunken foundation.

You might not have to worry too much if the cracks are all vertical, small, and more narrow than a dime. When you start seeing horizontal cracks that run parallel to your foundation, you may need to worry. This is a likely sign of a sunken foundation.

While you can repair the cracks and other issues, you will not permanently eliminate the problem unless you address the root cause: your shifting foundation. Repairing the damage alone will NOT stop this.

Fortunately, there are some things we can do.

What Can We Do About It?

The solution is largely dependent on the problem.  If your foundation is already sunken, we have special techniques for raising them, such as Helical Piers.  These giant metal corkscrews can safely and securely lift your sunken foundation back to where it needs to be.

Unlike concrete piles and other foundation-raising options, helical piers put no stress on your home.  That’s one MAJOR reason; they’re our recommendation for raising sunken foundations.

If your foundation problems are caused by soil swelling, your soil should undergo soil stabilization.  The best method we’ve found is the EcSS 3000 soil stabilization system.  It works by changing the ionic charge of the clay in your soil to make it less absorbent.  It’s a simple, clean solution that PERMANENTLY fixes your soil.

While there are alternatives to EcSS 3000 soil stabilization, they all have major downsides. They either make the soil unusable for gardening and planting, they dry out your soil too much, or they just don’t fix the problem. Our solution is permanent, safe, and the most effective one out there.

Conclusion

Your foundation is the base of your home. If it shifts or sinks, so does the rest of your home. Don’t trust foundation repair to just anyone. At Childers Brothers Leveling, we will take the time to meticulously and precisely inspect your foundation to come up with the right solution.

Schedule a free 27-Point Analysis if you have ANY signs of foundation trouble. We are happy to help.

FAQs

We get plenty of questions as the community’s leader in foundation work. Here’s a few we hear about most often from new or returning customers:

How long does a professional foundation inspection take?

A thorough foundation inspection can take up to two hours, depending on your home's size, construction, and the problems our inspectors discover. At Childers Brothers, we don't believe a quick walk around your property provides enough information to make important structural decisions.

Our free 27-Point Analysis examines numerous factors that influence foundation performance. We take the time to investigate visible damage, measure structural movement, and evaluate conditions beneath and around your home. Our goal is to understand the problem before recommending a solution.

What does the Childers Brothers 27-Point Analysis include?

Our 27-Point Analysis goes well beyond looking for cracks in your walls. We use more than a dozen specialized tools to evaluate your foundation and identify potential sources of structural movement.

During our inspection, we examine floor elevations, foundation levels, door and window alignment, soil conditions, and moisture levels. These measurements help us distinguish between normal settling and movement that may require professional attention.

Rather than relying on assumptions, we gather information that helps us develop repair recommendations specifically for your property.

Can my foundation have problems without visible cracks?

Absolutely. Foundation movement doesn't always announce itself with a dramatic crack running across your living room wall.

Sometimes the earliest warning signs are surprisingly subtle. Interior doors may begin sticking, windows might become difficult to operate, or floors may develop an uneven slope. You might also notice small gaps around doorframes or separation between building materials.

These symptoms don't automatically mean your foundation needs repairs. However, they provide valuable clues that deserve investigation, especially when multiple warning signs appear together.

Why are foundation problems so common in Amarillo?

Amarillo homeowners face challenging soil conditions, particularly in areas containing expansive clay. This soil can swell when it absorbs moisture and shrink as it dries.

Over time, repeated expansion and contraction can place uneven pressure on a home's foundation. Seasonal rainfall, drought conditions, drainage problems, and plumbing leaks may contribute to these moisture fluctuations.

Our inspections consider these environmental factors because understanding what happens beneath your home is just as important as identifying damage above ground.

Does finding foundation damage mean I need a complete foundation replacement?

Not necessarily. Many foundation problems can be addressed through targeted repairs without replacing the entire foundation.

For example, we may recommend helical piers to stabilize areas experiencing settlement. If expansive clay contributes to structural movement, our EcSS 3000 soil stabilization system may provide an appropriate solution.

We also offer pier and beam adjustments, slab-lifting foam, and specialized crack repairs.

The right approach depends on your foundation's construction, the extent of movement, and the underlying cause. Our inspection helps determine which services, if any, your home actually needs.

Should I get a foundation inspection before buying or selling a home?

A foundation inspection can provide valuable information during a real estate transaction, particularly when a property shows signs of settling or structural movement.

Buyers gain a better understanding of potential repair needs before making a major investment. Sellers can investigate concerning symptoms before those issues complicate negotiations.

Our detailed analysis helps clarify foundation conditions so you can make more informed decisions about the property.

How much does a foundation inspection cost in Amarillo?

At Childers Brothers, our comprehensive 27-Point Analysis is completely free.

We've served homeowners since 1972, and we believe understanding your foundation's condition should come before making decisions about repairs.

Whether you've noticed suspicious cracks, uneven floors, or doors that suddenly refuse to close properly, we're ready to investigate.