What’s Normal Around Here? A Local Look at Foundation Problems

If you live in High Point or the surrounding areas (Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Lexington, Burlington, or anywhere in the Piedmont Triad) you’ve probably heard a neighbor talk about foundation issues. And there’s a good reason for that.

Our region’s unique combination of clay-heavy soil, seasonal rainfall, and aging homes creates the perfect conditions for foundation movement and moisture problems. At Dunwell Structural Repair, we’ve seen just about everything, so let’s break down what’s most common right here in central North Carolina.


🧱 Top Foundation Issues in the Triad Region

1. Settling or Sinking Foundations
Many homes in this area are built on expansive red clay, which swells when it’s wet and shrinks when dry. This seasonal shifting can cause parts of your foundation to sink unevenly, leading to:

  • Cracks in walls or brick
  • Sloping floors
  • Doors and windows that stick

2. Bowing or Cracked Basement Walls
Hydrostatic pressure from our region’s frequent rainfall can push against basement or crawl space walls. Over time, this causes walls to crack or bow inward—especially in older block foundations.

3. Crawl Space Moisture and Mold
Humidity is a major issue in North Carolina. Many homes here have vented crawl spaces that trap moisture, leading to:

  • Musty odors
  • Mold growth
  • Wood rot and insect activity

4. Poor Drainage Around the Home
We often see homes with poor grading or clogged gutters, which funnel rainwater straight toward the foundation. This adds to pressure on the foundation walls and contributes to erosion and moisture problems.

5. Aging Construction
High Point and the surrounding areas have many homes built in the 1950s–1980s. Over time, even well-built foundations can develop issues if they weren’t designed with today’s soil movement and moisture control techniques in mind.


🛠️ What You Can Do About It

The good news? We’re local, and we know how to fix these problems the right way. Whether it’s pier installation, wall stabilization, crawl space encapsulation, or better drainage systems—we’ll tailor a solution to your home and soil conditions.

And best of all, we offer free estimates and financing options to make repairs accessible when you need them.


📞 Call 336.867.0298 or visit 🌐 dunwellsr.com to schedule your free inspection.

We’re proud to serve High Point and the surrounding region and we’re here to help protect your home for the long haul.