Brick and mortar cracks: what they can mean
Brick veneer often shows foundation movement first. Stair-step cracks in mortar or bricks pulling away at corners are common things contractors check.
What to look for
- Stair-step cracks in mortar joints
- Gaps between brick and window frames
- Bricks separating at outside corners
- Cracks in the exposed slab edge
Why San Antonio homes show it
Most Bexar County soil is Blackland Prairie clay that expands when wet and shrinks when dry. That shrink-swell is the primary reason for foundation issues in the county (Texas Master Naturalist, Alamo Area Chapter).
Symptoms alone don't diagnose a foundation. It may be cosmetic or a drainage fix. A professional inspection tells you which.
Get a professional look, free. We'll match you with one vetted, independent San Antonio-area foundation contractor for a no-obligation inspection. Start the 60-second form →
LevelSATX Foundation Network connects San Antonio homeowners with vetted, independent foundation repair contractors. We don't perform repairs; participating contractors pay us for referrals.