Foundation Damage Cause and Solutions
House and building foundations are built to bear the weight of the structure including all its contents into the underlying soil or rock. Older structures have foundations of the pier and beam specification, while more modern houses and buildings have the slab-on-grade designs.
Foundation movements beneath the soil are primarily caused by either the swelling or shrinking of the solid. The soil expands when levels of moisture or wetness increase, while shrinking occurs once moisture levels drop or are reduced that generally results to the lifting and settlement of the structure’s base or foundation.
The next most frequent cause of foundation movement is when the soil or rock is not properly compressed which makes other segments of the foundation unevenly settled. And since an infrastructure’s weight is wholly transferred on the underlying soil or rock filling; when the soil moves, the foundation likewise moves.
When foundation movement is uniform and does not become unleveled then it has been designed properly and according to appropriate construction standards. However, if the movement is not even, it produces a differential movement that destroys the finishing works within a home or building and at the same time, damages the foundation.
To prevent or decrease the potential damage of a differential movement within the soil, foundation repair techniques must be augmented by: 1) watering your foundation and other adjacent areas during the dry season. This helps improve soil moisture and compaction; 2) elevating soil within the foundation perimeter over other surrounding soils to help any surface water drain away from the foundation; 3) not planting trees and shrubs in close proximity to the foundation since shallow roots can extend under the foundation and become a factor for soil dry-up.
Foundation lifting is generally due to leaks from water pipes that may likewise result to too much moisture. Excessive water in the solid decreases its bearing capacity and affects proper foundation settlement.
To minimize foundation movement, including foundation lifting, the foundation of any infrastructure must have deep piers along with a proper drainage system. To be on the safe side, a registered professional engineer must be consulted for appropriate soil tests and repair method.
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