What Happens During a Free Foundation Inspection?

Getting Your Inspection on the Calendar

Call (817) 561-6500 or schedule online. IFR typically inspects within 24-48 hours of your call. You don't need to prepare anything special — just make sure the inspector can access all rooms of your home, the garage, and the exterior perimeter. The inspection takes 60-90 minutes depending on the size and complexity of your home. There's no charge, no obligation, and no pressure — ever.

Meeting Your Inspector

Your IFR inspector arrives in a company vehicle, in uniform, with professional equipment. Every IFR inspector has years of experience specifically in DFW foundation conditions — this isn't a general home inspector checking boxes. Our team has collectively assessed thousands of homes across Fort Worth, Arlington, Dallas, Keller, Southlake, and every community in the DFW metroplex. They'll introduce themselves, explain the inspection process, and ask about any specific concerns you've noticed — cracks, sticking doors, uneven floors, drainage issues. Your input matters because you know your home better than anyone.

Measuring Floor Elevations & Checking for Signs

This is where the real inspection begins. Your IFR inspector uses a digital zip level — a highly precise instrument that measures floor elevation to within 1/10th of an inch. They'll take measurements in every room of your home, creating an elevation map that shows exactly where and how much the foundation has moved. This data is objective and measurable — it's not opinion, it's engineering data.

While moving through the interior, the inspector also checks for:

• Wall cracks — location, direction, and width. Diagonal cracks above doors and windows are the most significant indicator of foundation movement.
• Door and window alignment — testing every door and window for sticking, dragging, or gaps that indicate the frame has shifted.
• Floor slope — the zip level readings tell the story, but the inspector also walks every room feeling for sloping, bouncing, or unevenness.
• Cabinet separation — gaps between kitchen and bathroom cabinets and the wall behind them, which indicate wall movement.
• Ceiling and corner gaps — separating tape, cracks where walls meet ceilings, and visible gaps in corners.
• Nail pops in drywall — clusters indicate wall shifting from foundation movement.

Inspecting the Outside of Your Home

After the interior, your inspector walks the entire exterior perimeter of your home, checking for:

• Brick and mortar cracks — stair-step cracks in mortar joints and vertical cracks through brick are mapped and measured
• Siding separation — gaps, buckling, or pulling away from the structure
• Foundation slab visibility — any exposed slab edges are checked for cracks, spalling, or deterioration
• Window and door frames — exterior alignment and any gaps between the frame and the brick or siding
• Chimney leaning or separation — chimneys are heavy and often show foundation movement first
• Garage floor condition — cracks in the garage slab, especially those extending into the stem wall

Checking How Water Moves Around Your Home

Water is the #1 cause of foundation problems in DFW. Your IFR inspector evaluates the entire drainage picture around your home — something most foundation companies skip entirely. This includes:

• Grading assessment — does the ground slope away from your foundation on all sides? At least 6 inches of drop over the first 10 feet is the standard.
• Gutter and downspout check — are gutters clean and functional? Do downspouts discharge at least 5 feet from the foundation?
• Standing water evidence — any signs of water pooling near the foundation, erosion channels, or soil saturation.
• Tree and vegetation proximity — large trees within 15-20 feet of the foundation extract moisture from clay soil, causing differential settlement.
• Soil type identification — the inspector identifies the specific clay type on your property and how it behaves with moisture changes.

This drainage assessment is critical because, as we explain in our article on drainage and foundation protection, fixing drainage without fixing the foundation (or vice versa) doesn't solve the problem. Both must be addressed together.

The Conversation: What We Found and What It Means

After the physical inspection is complete, your inspector sits down with you to walk through everything they found. This is a conversation, not a presentation — you're encouraged to ask questions, and your inspector will explain in plain language what's happening with your foundation. Here's what you'll learn:

• Elevation readings explained — your inspector will show you the floor elevation map and explain what the numbers mean. You'll see exactly where your foundation has moved and by how much.
• Cause analysis — whether the movement is caused by expansive clay soil, drainage issues, plumbing leaks, tree roots, or a combination of factors.
• Urgency assessment — whether the movement is active (still happening) or stabilized, and how quickly action is needed.
• Repair recommendations — if repair is needed, your inspector will explain which method is appropriate for your situation, how many piers or supports are needed, and where they should be placed. If repair isn't needed, they'll tell you that too.
• Cost estimate — a clear, written proposal with fixed pricing. No ballpark ranges that change later, no hidden fees.

Your Documentation

Within 24-48 hours of your inspection, you receive a detailed written report that includes:

• Floor elevation diagram showing measurements across every room
• Photographs of all problem areas — cracks, separation, drainage issues, exterior damage
• Drainage assessment with specific findings and recommendations
• Diagnosis — a clear, jargon-free explanation of what's happening with your foundation
• Repair proposal (if needed) — detailed scope of work, pier placement map, materials specifications, timeline, and fixed cost
• Warranty information — details on IFR's lifetime transferable warranty

This report is yours to keep, whether you hire IFR or not. It's also invaluable documentation if you're buying a home and need evidence for negotiations.