Tool, Texas
Inside Tool's city limits, shrink-swell clay limits houses without basements on 66% of mapped land, higher than 72% of Texas cities. A shallow water table limits basements on 37%.
That clay share is above Henderson County's 25%. FEMA's flood data list 4 flood losses since 2016 in ZIP code 75143 overlapping the city. Of its 1,572 homes, 41% were built before 1980; the median dates from 1983.
Data as of October 13, 2026 · sources · in Henderson County
expansive clay: shrink-swell limits slab homes
high water table: limits basements
flood losses since 2016 in 1 overlapping ZIP
of homes built before 1980
Foundation repair in Tool
Foundation repair in Tool: shrink-swell clay limits slab homes on 66% of Tool's mapped land, more than in 72% of Texas cities.
About 1,100 of Tool's 1,572 homes are detached houses.
| Who designs the repair | The ASCE Texas Section's repair guidelines say a Texas-licensed engineer should evaluate the foundation and design the repair (2022 guidelines) |
| Prices | Cost guide ranges compared |
Soil under Tool city limits
| Expansive clay (limits slab homes) | 66.3% |
| High water table (limits basements) | 36.6% |
| Septic fields very limited | 84.0% |
| Clay swell (LEP, by area) | 7.4% |
| High-swell land (LEP 6%+) | 77.9% |
| Mapped soil | 2,290 acres |
What the numbers mean here
Clay swell averages a linear extensibility of 7.4% by land area here, and 78% of the land reaches USDA's high class (6% or more). Clay like that swells when wet and shrinks when dry, under 66% of the mapped land.
Clay shrinks as it dries: 100% of Henderson County is in drought on the latest map, and 66% of Tool's mapped land has shrink-swell clay.
On 37% of Tool's mapped land, soil stays saturated within about 6 feet of the surface for part of the year, which is basement depth.
USDA rates 84% of the land very limited for septic absorption fields.
Drought in Henderson County
100% of Henderson County is in drought (D1 or worse) on the October 13, 2026 map. County detail.
Flood losses by ZIP code
FEMA flood records since 2016 in the ZIP codes that overlap Tool. ZIP areas reach past city limits.
| ZIP | Share of city land | Flood losses | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75143 | over 99% | 4 | $51,367 |
Homes in Tool
| Housing units | 1,572 |
| Median year built | 1983 |
| Built before 1980 | 41% |
| Built 2000 or later | 15% |
| Owner-occupied | 81% |
| Median value, owner-occupied | $213,300 |
| Single-family detached | 73% |
Nearby cities
| Place | Distance | Expansive clay | High water table |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Points | 3 mi | 71% | 47% |
| Enchanted Oaks | 4 mi | 81% | 10% |
| Gun Barrel City | 4 mi | 69% | 22% |
| Payne Springs | 6 mi | 69% | 47% |
| Mabank | 7 mi | 73% | 13% |
| Star Harbor | 9 mi | 52% | 36% |
| Trinidad | 9 mi | 62% | 35% |
| Caney City | 9 mi | 24% | 64% |
Sources: USDA SSURGO (August 5, 2026) · US Drought Monitor (October 13, 2026) · FEMA NFIP v3 (September 9, 2026) · Census ACS 2020-2024. Methods · Data status