Many homeowners usually don’t think about how the soil around their house can affect the foundation, but many problems can derive from different soil conditions. In this article, we’ll talk about some characteristics in the dirt around your house to watch for that are common with the development of structural issues.
How Soil and Foundations are Realted
The type of soil around your home can change how well your home’s foundation is protected and how well it holds up in the future. Take a quick look at how soils and building foundations are related:
Soil
It is common to believe that soil tends to stay in the same place constantly unless you move it personally. Many types of soils have the potential to shrink and constrict. Clay, for example, commonly swells significantly whenever it’s exposed to water. Then it shrinks again when it’s dry. Though sandy soil doesn’t typically swell, shrink, or hold water, it can disperse easily when faced with large amounts of water.
Foundations
In order for your home to be sturdy, the foundation needs to be level and secure. However, if the soil beneath your home’s foundation swells, shrinks, or erodes, your foundation may experience too much pressure, leading to your home’s foundation losing its base and support. As your foundation loses its support, you may see cracks forming around your foundation.
How to Fix
The moment you suspect foundation problems, it’s essential that you call a foundation professional. Though it may seem like shrinking and swelling dirt may be an unsolvable problem, Jerry’s Waterproofing can solve all your foundation issues.
Foundation problems can tend to be scary. Foundation problems being unsolved can be dangerous and pricey, but these problems are not unmanageable. If you suspect that your foundation is in bad shape, don’t hesitate to contact us.