Causes of foundation problems

Water is the main enemy causing problems in expansive soils. There is either too much water, causing the soil to swell, or not enough, causing the soil to shrink. 

If the soil beneath a foundation swells uniformly or shrinks uniformly it is unlikely to cause a problem. But when only part of the foundation heaves or settles, differential movement causes cracks and other damage. Most differential movement is caused by differences in the soil’s moisture. After construction, soil beneath part of the foundation becomes wetter or drier than the rest of the soil. Here is why this happens:

When there is a gain in soil moisture:

This is the most serious threat, since the swelling potential of expansive soils is much greater than the shrinkage potential. Moisture gain can come from plumbing leaks, subsurface water due to wet weather or a high water table, or surface water. Surface water can come from improper drainage of landscape water or rainwater. Poor drainage can be a major contributor to soil moisture gains. Roof runoff should be directed away from the house through the use of gutters. Gutter downspouts should not be permitted to discharge the water next to the foundation. Surface drainage next to the foundation should slope away from the house by approximately ¼ ” per foot.

When there is a loss of soil moisture:

The soil may be at or near its optimum moisture content when the foundation is built, but it may lose enough moisture during a drought to cause the foundation to settle. Settlement is usually greatest near the perimeter of the foundation where the soil dries most quickly.

If you think that there is a problem with your foundation, call our professional foundation contractors in the Canton, OH area for a free, no-obligation evaluation and quote. We thoroughly assess any damage that has occurred and determine the best plan for your situation. 

It is not feasible for a foundation repair contractor to give you an exact quote until they see the problem and the surrounding conditions.