Contact Us For Your Free Evaluation Get a Free Estimate

Foundation Authority

water damage repair

What You Need To Know About The Shifting Soil Around Your Home

If you live in an area with shifting soil, it’s important to be aware of the potential impacts this can have on your home. Shifting soil can cause your foundation to settle and crack, which can lead to serious problems like structural damage and leaks.
If you think your home may be at risk, there are a few things you can do to protect it. First, you should have your foundation inspected by a professional. If they find any damage, they can help you determine the best way to repair it.
You can also take steps to prevent shifting soil from impacting your home in the first place. One way to do this is to plant deep-rooted plants around your home. This will help to stabilize the soil and keep it from shifting.
If you live in an area with shifting soil, be sure to keep these things in mind in order to protect your home!

Soil is important to the stability of your home
The soil around your home is important for its stability. Soil can shift and settle over time, which can cause problems with your foundation. The type of soil around your home can also affect how much it shifts.

There are two main types of soil shifts: lateral and vertical.
Lateral soil shifts occur when the soil around your home expands or contracts. Changes in moisture levels can cause this issue. For example, if the ground becomes very dry, the soil will shrink. This can cause your foundation to settle and crack. On the other hand, if the ground becomes very wet, the soil will expand. This can put pressure on your foundation and cause it to crack or even collapse. Vertical soil shifts occur when the ground underneath your home rises or falls. This can happen due to changes in the water table or erosion. For example, if the water table rises, the ground will become saturated and start to sink. This can damage your foundation and cause your home to settle. Similarly, if there is a lot of rain or flooding, the ground can erode. This can also damage your foundation and cause your home to settle.

Soil shifts and settles over time
As mentioned above, soil shifts and settles over time. This can happen due to a variety of factors, including changes in moisture levels, the water table, and erosion. These shifts can cause problems with your foundation, including cracks, settling, and even collapse.


The type of soil around your home can affect how much it shifts
As mentioned above, the type of soil around your home can affect how much it shifts. There are two main types of soil: clay and sand. Clay soil is more likely to expand and contract, while sandy soil is more likely to shift and erode. If you live in an area with clay soil, it’s important to be aware of the potential for shifting and take steps to protect your home.

There are several things you can do to prevent damage from soil shifting
If you live in an area with shifting soil, there are several things you can do to prevent damage to your home.

1.) Have your foundation inspected by a professional. If they find any damage, they can help you determine the best way to repair it.
2.) Take steps to prevent shifting soil from impacting your home in the first place. One way to do this is to plant deep-rooted plants around your home. This will help to stabilize the soil and keep it from shifting.
3.) Be aware of the signs of shifting soil. These can include cracks in your walls or foundation, doors or windows that stick, and gaps between your floor and walls. If you notice any of these signs, you should have your home inspected by a professional. Taking these steps will help to protect your home from the damaging effects of shifting soil!
If you need expert foundation services for your beautiful home, visit our contact page to connect with our team.

Eliminating Standing Water

Standing water may not seem like a big deal, but it can cause a good deal of damage when left alone near your foundation. Rainwater that collects and pools up near the foundation of your home can enter into the concrete, filling up the pores that it finds inside. Over time, this is enough to break down the concrete and will cause the foundation to crack. 

Standing water in the winter is going to be even worse. The water will still seep into the cracks and pores of the concrete foundation. But when it freezes, that same water will push the concrete out, rather than break it down. The ice will cause swelling in the foundation, pushing everything up in the home and causing seams in the ceiling and walls. 

There are different methods you can use to remove the standing water from near your foundation. These include:

  • Change the landscaping to slope away from the home, making it harder for water to sit. 
  • Use gutters that direct the water away from the home. 
  • Consider a retaining wall to move water and soil to the street or the backyard. 

The goal is to keep water from sitting near the foundation of your home. Any slope can help, as can any change to your landscaping that will move the rain or other water far from the home. A professional will be able to help you see where problem areas for standing water can form and will help you create a solution to keep your foundation safe. 

Customer Interview with Omar George

In 1996, Omar George dreamt of investing along Woodward Avenue. In 2021, Omar fulfilled that dream and purchased two buildings. Unfortunately, flooding in the area caused severe water damage in one of the buildings, and Omar thought his dream was destroyed. After searching for a contractor, a friend suggested Foundation Authority, and in one week, the building was cleaned up and back to normal. Omar is grateful to Foundation Authority for dedicating their time to fixing his dream.

5 Tips to Help You Monitor Your Foundation

Learn how to stay on top of your foundation issues before they arise. It’s tough to tell when a crack in your foundation is something to worry about, or when you can repair it yourself. After reading this blog article, we hope you will have more knowledge on how to monitor your foundation.

Monitor new cracks for expansion
The best way to check a new crack for expansion is to mark on your foundation with a pencil or sharpie and take note of the distance between the crack. Continue this every month for 8-12 months. If it expands over a ¼ inch, it’s time to call a professional.

Seal all cracks where water can leak in
Cracks are normal in your foundation as it moves over time. If the cracks are larger than 1/8th of an inch then water can leak in. Simply seal the cracks with a concrete compatible caulk and that will do the trick.

Look for bulges in your walls, if there are cracks you need an expert to look at it
A bulge in your wall indicates that clay in your walls has begun to collect moisture and expand, putting pressure on your wall. This is no serious matter as your wall can collapse, causing lots of damage. You can measure to see if there is a bulge by grabbing a level and putting it against the wall to see if it is level. If you notice a bulge, it’s best to have a professional look at it to ensure there are no major safety concerns.

Note all horizontal cracks
Vertical cracks are common as foundations shift and often do not cause issues. Horizontal cracks are often a result of a structural issue and need immediate attention. Structural issues can be fixed with pier pushes, excavation, and more. Call the experts at Foundation Authority when you notice horizontal crack issues.

Call the pro’s for cracks ½ inch or wider
If you find cracks around your home that are wider than ½ of an inch, you need to call an expert ASAP. Cracks ranging from 1/8th to 1/4th of an inch are not so serious, but a ½ an inch crack is a serious concern that needs a professional eye.

If you need more information or need an inspection. Give the foundation experts at Foundation Authority a call at (586) 228-6500.

Foundation Authority’s Foundation Repair Process

Your home should keep you and your family safe and secure. But if you have a faulty foundation, problems can occur that may compromise your home. The professionals at Foundation Authority are experts at fixing basement cracks, bowing walls, and installing helical piers to lift and restore foundations. We are here to help our Michigan neighbors make their homes safe and sturdy. Visit our website at www.foundationauthoritymi.com or give us a call at (586) 228-6500 for a free quote.

Call Now Button(586) 228-6500