Concrete slabs can settle seasonally to moisture, natural causes, and construction methods. In fact, repairing foundations keeps us busy year-round. While foundation settling is common, the cause and effect are unique to each and every home. Everyone knows that moisture is a major contributor to foundational settlements and shifts. Many people do not know that the amount your foundation settles can be largely determined by the quality of how the slab was poured and the materials used to reinforce the structure.
What Causes Concrete Foundation Settlement?
Understanding the source of foundation settlement is the first factor in determining your repair and replacement options. Small instances of foundation settlement rarely need to be addressed but can be indicative of a more significant problem down the road. In fact, expert builders and contractors will be familiar with your region’s soil and can even make rough predictions as to how much a slab foundation may settle over time. So, what causes your foundation to settle?
In a word: nature. Depending on your region, foundational shifts can be commonplace and even anticipated. The following are factors that cause your foundation to settle.
- How Moisture Affects Your Foundation. Your home rests upon many layers of soil, which all support your foundation. Each layer contains different minerals that determine whether the soil is absorbent, firm, or on the squishier side. Arkansas is home to a plethora of expansive soil. Expansive soil is a particularly absorbent variety of soil that swells and lifts the foundation, causing distress on concrete and floor slabs. When the soil beneath your concrete slab absorbs moisture, it contracts as it dries. The empty space beneath the slab causes the foundation to sink and settle.
- The Hazards of Construction or Natural Occurrences. Events that cause your property to shift, such as a flood, drought, or nearby construction, can also wreak havoc on your foundation. Even construction projects on occasion have been proven to cause major damage from the force of the vibrations. After a heavy rainfall or weather occurrence, keep an eye out for fresh cracks in your concrete.
- Beware Faulty Mesh Installation. Wire mesh and rebar reinforcement stabilize and support your slab foundation. Properly installed, wire mesh or rebar help keep small cracks from becoming larger cracks if there is any time of movement in the slab. Incorrectly installed wire mesh or rebar enforcement ends up under the slab after the concrete has been poured, which is ineffective at preventing damage or cracks. When installed correctly, the wire rebar and mesh should be positioned about two inches below the surface of the poured cement or in the center of a standard four-inch slab.
- Poor Drainage and Your Foundation. One of the common reasons that foundations begin to shift is poor water drainage that affects the surrounding soils. When soils become saturated with water, the clay content expands and loses strength. Without proper water control, your unmonitored soil will expand and contract, causing your foundation to move. Your foundation professional can recommend drainage solutions for your property to help you avoid unwanted foundation settlement.
Use Benchmarking to Track Foundation Changes Over Time
Benchmark technology helps determine if signs of movement are seasonally related or indicative of foundation failure. Benchmark reports are composed of collected data through the use of benchmarking software and survey equipment. These reports track your foundation changes over time and can help professionals determine the best course of action to protect your home against future damage. Go with the Pro! Our equipment and experience makes the difference. Foundation Pro uses foundation benchmarking to track and analyze the patterns of your foundation, so we can accurately assess the next stages of your foundation repair plan.
Contact Foundation Pro for a Free Foundation Repair Estimate!
Foundation Pro has been servicing Arkansas homes from crawl space moisture damage and poor indoor air quality for over twenty-five years! Our highly trained foundation repair technicians are passionate about providing thorough, quality crawl space encapsulation services to protect your home for years to come. Visit our contact page or call 501-753-1009 to request your free local estimate.
