The Dirt Behind Foundation Settling

It seems more and more homes are seeing some type of damage as the result of foundation settlement. The most shocking cases involve brand new homes that are settling within the first few years of being built. A recent article by Consumer Reports states that 15% of new homes experienced structural problems. So what is the real culprit behind the alarming number of foundation problems? Let's dig deeper to get a better look at the culprit. Let's dig into the soil. Most often, movement occuring within your home can be attributed to changes in the soil beneath and around the foundation. These include changes to the moisture content or the density.

Your home is most likely sitting in and on multiple layers of soil, both native soils and man-moved soils. Some of the layers may be silt, some may be sand, and many are made of clay. Each layer has the potential to be impacted by different factors after the home is built. When the various layers and areas settle at different rates, the damaging effects of settlement occur. Here's a look at some of the soil changes that ultimately can lead to settlement:

1. Drying of Soil. Some soil, particularly clay, tends to shrink when it dries. Factors such as lack of rain, periods of drought, or even shrubs and trees planted too close to the foundation can reduce the moisture content of the soil.
2. Excess Moisture. When soils become too wet or saturated they can swell and soften which leaves them unable to support the weight of the structure, or can wash out leaving unsupported voids under the surface of the home.
3. Poorly Compacted Soil. If the existing, native soil under a home is weak or if the fill soil that has been brought in to back-fill around the foundation is poorly compacted, the soils can compress beneath the weight of the foundation.

When movement occurs as a result of shrinking, swelling or softened soils beneath the foundation or the soil around the foundation begins to push against the foundation walls, cracks will begin to appear in the foundation, floor slabs, or the drywall in your living space. When you notice these changes you should get the underlying issues addressed as soon as possible. Foundation problems only get worse and more expensive with time.

The trained and certified Foundation Specialists at Davenport Foundation Repair can inspect your home and sit down with you to determine the best solution that meets your needs. Our solutions can help restore value to your home, improve your quality of life and most importantly, restore your peace of mind.