Discover Quality Solutions to 4 Causes of Foundation Problems

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Discover Quality Solutions to 4 Causes of Foundation Problems

Discover Quality Solutions to 4 Causes of Foundation Problems

For those of us with homes built on clay soil, foundation problems are common. The good news is there are ways to help prevent future foundation damage.

Understanding the underlying cause of foundation issues helps develop a foundation maintenance plan. Often foundation problems trace back to one thing, water.

Signs of Foundation Problems

Water is the most common cause of foundation-related problems. Your home is built on the soil. That soil gets exposed to varying moisture levels during the year. Changes in the soil moisture content cause soils to move. They expand and contract in different amounts under your foundation. Excess water causes soils to expand and increases the pressure on the foundation. Lack of water causes soils to contract. Parts of the foundation then move as soils expand and contract. What do you see? Cracks in the foundation, walls, and tiles.

Foundation Problems Issues and Changing Moisture Levels

Accumulation of too much water causes soil expansion. Clay soils act like sponges, expanding as much as 20%. Soil expansion may not be uniform. Sometimes, only a part of t. Soil expansion causes uneven pressure on the foundation, leading to foundation cracks.

Foundation Problem Causes

Finding the water source or treating the lack of moisture helps develop a foundation maintenance plan.

Rain
Live in Texas and you know our rain storms are doozies, especially in the spring. Spring thunderstorms unleash enormous amounts of rain in short periods. Water pours off our roofs in sheets. Without proper foundation drainage, rain leaves soil around the foundation waterlogged. Good foundation drainage is a must. Ensure your gutters and downspouts do their job. Follow our foundation drainage gutters and downspout tips. Help protect your foundation by moving water away from your house.
Landscaping
Beautiful trees and border gardens make homes look like gems. They are homeowners’ pride and joy. We weed and water, keeping our plants looking their best. It is amazing how much water trees and plants pull from the soil. Plan foundation-friendly landscaping that helps maintain soil moisture levels year-round. Read more about foundation landscaping in our Foundation Landscaping 7 Tips.
Drought
While too much water pushes foundations up, too little water causes soil contraction. Often, slabs crack as soils contract. Setting up a foundation watering program helps maintain even soil moisture levels. Follow our Foundation Maintenance Tips and set up a foundation watering system. Keep your foundation hydrated!
Leaking Pipes
The plumbing under the house wears with time. Too much damage, over time, results in leaking pipes under the foundation. You may see the foundation bulging in spots. The leading cause is a leaking pipe. The soil absorbed the water, expanding and pushing up part of the foundation. Under-slab leaking pipes need professional care. For the Dallas-Fort Worth areas, we recommend Piper Plumbing.

How to Fix Foundation Problems

Water is the leading cause of foundation problems. Too much water causes soil expansion. Too little water causes soil contraction. Both cause foundation problems. Use our resources to keep foundation problems at bay:

Remember to call in the professionals when it comes to under-slab leaking pipes. Contact Piper Plumbing for a quote.

If you need clarification on the state of the foundation of your house, we can help you. Contact Arch Foundation when you need foundation repair services.