Causes Of Foundation Problems

What's causing my foundation to sink?

One of the most common questions property owners ask is: why is my foundation sinking?  We've illustrated and described the most common causes here, but be sure to request a free quote for the solution.

Expansive Soils

The most common cause of foundation settlement by far is expansive soils such as clay. When these soils get wet due to heavy rain, they expand. When they dry out due to drought, they contract. This causes the soil under your home or property to settle and shift at an uneven rate, compromising the stability of the structure.

Poor Drainage / Plumbing Leaks

When an excess of water is constantly present, due to poor drainage or plumbing leaks, the soils that support your foundation can quickly erode. It's important to check gutters and plumbing on a regular basis to prevent foundation problems.

Improper Soil Compaction

While fairly uncommon, one cause of foundation settlement is improper compaction of soils at the time of construction. If a builder did not properly prepare the site before the foundation was poured, soils are much more likely to shift and settle.

Trees

Trees can consume massive amounts of water. It's certainly possible for roots to cause foundation issues, but usually the problem with trees is that they pull water away from the soils supporting the home. This causes soil contraction and thus foundation problems.