Sometimes, crawl space support pillars are built on soils that are not strong enough to support the weight of your home. Over time, these supports will begin to sink into the soil. As they do, the floor they hold up will sink as well, leading to uneven floors and interior wall cracking.
In order to level a site where a foundation will be built, builders sometimes bring in loose soil from another location to fill depressed or hollow areas. This newly moved “fill” soil is much looser and lighter than the dense, hard-packed virgin soils at the site that haven’t been disturbed. The fill soil brought in by the […]
The soils around your foundation experience wetting and softening primarily for these three reasons: Heavy Rain & Flood Conditions: As clay soil gets wet, it holds on to water and becomes very soft. This soft soil can be weak, causing the home to shift (or “sink”) down into it. Poor Drainage: If water is allowed […]
Foundation soils experience most of their drying and shrinking from two common causes: Drought: Prolonged dry periods cause the soil to dry out. As we know, when the clay dries out, it shrinks. Soil shrinkage beneath a foundation has the same effect as soil settling: It usually causes a section of the foundation to crack […]
In areas with cold winter climates, frost heaving can sometimes put enough pressure on foundation walls to make them fail. When water turns to ice, its volume increases by about 9%. If wet soil experiences a deep freeze, the wedging or heaving force that results can be extremely powerful. Frost heaving can put literally thousands of pounds […]
Hydrostatic pressure is the pressure exerted by a fluid due to the force of gravity. To understand how hydrostatic pressure can damage foundation walls, imagine how much heavier soil becomes when it’s soaked with water. When the weight of water is added to the weight of the soil, you’ve got much greater pressure pushing against a […]
While sandy soils remain stable as water passes through them, soils rich in clay undergo significant changes based on their moisture content. When clay type soils dry out, they shrink significantly — so much that the ground can become covered with cracks. But after a heavy rain, the cracks are gone and the soil is […]
Gutter screens limit the flow of both debris and water, requiring manual cleanouts to avoid seedling growth and insect infestation. Gutter filters quickly clog, defeating their purpose. Regular brush cleaning is needed to avoid mold growth and other damage. Gutter covers are installed under shingles, lack curb appeal, and often void roof warranties. Many all-in-one systems are designed to […]
Clogged, heavy gutters may rot wooden siding and fascia, leading to lower indoor air quality and mold growth within the home. Pests are more likely to inhabit a clogged gutter with stagnant, restricted water flow. Decaying leaves create a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other unwanted insects. Ineffective downspouts and clogged gutters make foundations more […]
130 Performance Dr
Belmont, NC 28012
1312 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd.
Matthews, NC 28105
