Causes of Foundation Damage
Knowing why issues like cracking, bowing walls, and foundation settlement are occurring is important in finding the best solution. Learn more about what causes foundation damage.
Schedule Your Free InspectionIt is important to act as soon as you notice foundation problems such as cracks, bowing walls, and a settling foundation. But it’s equally important to know why these issues are happening so you can best repair them. Read on to learn more about what causes foundation problems and how Dry Pro can help with a free inspection and permanent repair solutions.
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Common Causes of Foundation Damage
Foundation problems can be caused by many factors. Here are a few of the common causes behind foundation damage you might notice in your home.
Expansive Soil
The soil a foundation is built upon can make or break a home. Clay and yellow clay loam are prevalent soils throughout North Carolina, including the Charlotte and Hickory areas. Clay is known as an expansive soil, meaning it holds onto water quite well and its particles expand significantly when saturated with water. Expansive clay soil is also highly unstable as it becomes wet and soft, dries and shrinks, and is poorly compacted. It can leave a home without proper support, as well as exert a great amount of force on foundations and walls. That leads us to our next common cause.
Hydrostatic Pressure
As noted above, expansive clay soil greatly expands in size when wet. When the soil under and around your home becomes overly saturated, it exerts a force known as hydrostatic pressure on your foundation and basement walls. When this force becomes too much for the walls to bear, they will begin cracking, bowing inward, and allow water to leak into or flood the basement or crawl space. The longer this vicious cycle continues, the more foundation and water damage will occur. But there are several permanent foundation repairs and basement waterproofing solutions to help protect your home and combat the forces of expansive soil and hydrostatic pressure.
Drought
The Greater Charlotte and Hickory areas are typically humid and wet, but all it takes is a consistent lack of moisture to cause problems for your foundation. This is what is known as a drought. While clay soil is known for its expansive properties, it also can dry out and shrink significantly without sufficient moisture. When this happens, voids can form between the soil and your foundation that your foundation can easily sink into. And when a hearty rain does come, the dry soil will not be equipped to handle the excess water, and the effects of hydrostatic pressure will be intensified.
Repair and Protect Your Foundation for Life. Contact Dry Pro Today!
Foundation damage such as wall cracks, bowing walls, and foundation settlement are not issues to be taken lightly. These problems will only worsen over time and can lead to other damage, including a leaking or flooding basement or crawl space. At the first sign that something is wrong, it is important to reach out to local professionals.
Our team at Dry Pro Foundation and Crawl Space Specialists has more than 20 years of experience in identifying the root cause of foundation problems and recommending the best solutions to permanently repair them. We’re also very familiar with the area’s problematic soil and weather conditions, and how they affect Charlotte and Hickory homes.
Repair your home and permanently protect it today by contacting us to schedule your FREE foundation inspection and estimate. We look forward to helping you create a safer living environment!
Our Locations
130 Performance Dr
Belmont, NC 28012
1312 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd.
Matthews, NC 28105