Simple Explanation – What causes foundation problems?
What causes foundation problems?
Seasonal Weather Changes:
Dry and wet weather cycles produce a constantly changing soil bed under your home’s foundation. The expansion and contraction of the soil over time can weaken the support for your foundation and cause it to settle and crack.
Poor Drainage:
Foundation drainage problems can be caused by too much moisture as well as too little. If your home lacks gutters or the downspouts are not directed away from the foundation properly excessive water will be dumped into the soil closest to the house. The soil will become over-saturated. Too much water in the soil causes it to expand and exert damaging pressure on the foundation. In addition, if the landscaping around the home does not slope away from the building, this can cause water to collect too close to the foundation as well.
Expansive Clay Soils:
In many areas of the country the weather changes seasonally. Rainy seasons alternating with dry seasons can adversely affect the soil underneath the home. In areas with expansive clay soils, this is a common cause of foundation problems. Soils with high clay content absorb more water than other soils. This causes the soil to expand when wet. The wet, expansive soil then pushes upward on the foundation. When the soil dries, the foundation settles. This continuous foundation movement can result in cracks and other damage.
Tree Roots:
Tree roots can pose problems for foundations. Trees should never be planted close to the house, especially larger trees. Their roots can extend for several feet and one large tree can remove about 100 gallons of water daily from the soil. If that water is leeched from the soil under the foundation, the shrinkage can cause soil shifting and movement. Tree roots can crack plumbing located underneath foundations. Many slab foundations have plumbing underneath. When the pipes crack, water leaks and pools under the foundation. This pooling creates a variety of foundation problems.
