5 Common Causes of Home Foundation Problems

Is your home having foundation issues? These are very serious troubles that can cause permanent damage to your property. If you begin to suspect that this is the case, you need to take immediate action to prevent a foundation failure. Here are the 5 most common causes of home foundation problems to be aware of.

1. Building on Top of Expansive Clay Soil

One of the most common causes of foundation failure is building your home on top of expansive clay soil. It results in many homes sustaining serious foundation damage at an early age.

2. Your Fill Soil Has Been Compacted Badly

The very last thing in the world that any new homeowner wants to come across is any kind of problem with the foundation of their property. If the home you have bought is relatively new, any kind of issue in this area is bound to come as a huge shock.

One of the biggest causes of issues with the foundation of your home will be the fill dirt that lies below the foundation. If this fill soil was compacted in the wrong manner, it can leave your slab-on-grade foundation at risk. If you are just now building your home, you need to make sure the compaction is done right.

3. Seasonal Weather Extremes Can Cause Foundation Damage

Another factor that can lead to a great deal of foundation damage will be the alternation of extreme cycles of weather. These can pile on top of one another to cause massive damage.

The biggest culprit to watch out for will be drastic changes in the moisture level of the soil beneath your foundation. These can lead to a huge array of problems that get played out in the form of cracks. If you see these cracks beginning to form in your walls or chimney, you need to take immediate action.

4. Plumbing Leaks That Occur Below the Slab

You will need to be on the lookout for any kind of plumbing leaks that may occur below the slab of your foundation. This type of leak is very insidious because it is much harder to spot. As a result, you can suffer major damage from a leak below your foundation before you are even aware of what is happening down there.

The best way to check for a leak of this kind is to pay attention to the state of the soil around and beneath your home. Pay heed to any noticeable accretions of moisture that start to appear. This can be your first clue that a leak is opening beneath your foundation. Get help with this issue as soon as you can.

5. Tree Roots Are Growing Under the Foundation

One of the biggest causes of foundation problems in homes is the presence of wild and unchecked tree roots. Trees can put down roots under the foundation of your home, leading to an upheaval that can ultimately put huge cracks in the slab and walls. If left unchecked, tree roots may be able to topple your home.

Much of the issue is due to a natural process called transpiration. This will happen when the roots of the tree suck up water from the soil, leaving it dry and shriveled.

This drying up of the soil beneath your home can cause your foundation to settle in a very uneven manner. The best way for you to solve this problem is to keep trees away from this area.

A Foundation is the Bedrock of Your Home

It will be up to you to make sure that each and every part of your new home is up to industry standards. This should be taken to mean only the latest and most reliable standards, not those of decades ago. You will need to make sure that your home meets all of the highest safety levels, especially in your foundation.          

About The Author: Maggie graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in communication and writing. In her spare time, she loves to dance, read, and bake. She also enjoys traveling and scouting out new brunch locations.

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