• 1

    CRACKED CHIMNEY: Poor exterior drainage or expanding soil can cause foundations to crack and settle.

  • 2

    CRACKED, BOWED WALLS: Soil movement under the foundation, hydrostatic pressure and poor water drainage are common culprits.

  • 3

    CROOKED DOORS: When a foundation settles, cracks or shifts, problems such as crooked doors develop in the house.

  • 4

    UNEVEN & SAGGING FLOORS: Shifting soil, humidity from water seepage and inadequate foundation waterproofing can contribute to flooring issues.

  • 5

    BASEMENT/CRAWL SPACE MOISTURE: A wet, leaking basement or crawl space moisture can contribute to musty smells, mold growth, sagging and uneven floors.

  • 6

    BUGS IN THE BASEMENT: Bugs are drawn to wet basements and can enter through cracks in the foundation.

  • 7

    STANDING WATER UNDER HOUSE: Improper drainage often causes water to collect under the house.

The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that 25% of all homes in the United States have damage caused by expansive soils.

WHAT ARE EXPANSIVE SOILS?

Expansive soils contain particles that are capable of absorbing water. When they absorb water they increase in volume (swell), and when the soil dry's it shrinks, this casues cracked foundations, floors, and basement walls.

Effects of Expansive Clay Soils

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture claims that
EXPANSIVE SOILS are responsible for more home damage every year than floods, tornadoes and hurricanes combined.

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture estimates
50%
of all homes in the U.S. are built on expansive soils.

Each year in the U.S., expansive soils cause
$2.3 BILLION
in structural damage

U.S. EXPANSIVE CLAY SOIL MAP

Over 50% of these areas have underlying soils with abundant clays with high swelling potential.

Less than 50% of these areas have underlying soils with abundant clays with high swelling potential.

Over 50% of these areas have underlying soils with abundant clays with high swelling potential.

Less than 50% of these areas have underlying soils with with slight to moderate swelling potential.

These areas have underlying soils with little to no clays with swelling potential.

Data insufficient to indicate the clay content with the swelling potential of soils.

sources