Hot summer weather can cause detrimental foundation damage, especially to homeowners with concrete slab foundations. “Rainy Season” in Arkansas is considered to be April-May, which is closely followed by the scorching summer months. With Arkansas summer temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees, soil and clay undergo dramatic changes. When soil gets too dry after expanding with the excess rainy moisture, the lack of moisture causes it to shrink, leading to potential shifts in your foundation. If you notice cracks in your lawn and soil, they may be the first signs of damage to your foundation.
Hazards for Homes Built on Expansive Soil with Clay Minerals
If you have a slab concrete foundation that is built on soil with clay minerals, you may be more susceptible to foundation damage. Soil with large amounts of clay minerals are called “Expansive Soil” and can increase in volume over 10% when wet. Then this soil dries, it causes the foundation to shift, causing little cracks. Floors, basement walls, and even the upper floors of your property can be affected by swelling soils.
What exactly happens to the foundation? Specifically, when expansive spoil absorbs moisture, it swells and lifts the foundation, causing distress on concrete and floor slabs. Inversely, when the clay dries it can create large voids in the soil in which the foundation can buckle.
Preventing Foundation Cracks Caused by Dry Soil
If the soil around your foundation is bone dry, it is time to give it something to drink! Watering devices, such as hoses and sprinklers, can help you regularly water your foundation. Make sure to hydrate the soil for a few minutes every day to help prevent your foundation from cracking. If you do notice cracks in your foundation, there is no time to waste! Call Foundation Pro immediately!
Warning Signs that Heat has Damaged Your Foundation
Foundation damage after soil shrinkage is not always obvious. The sooner a homeowner spots a warning sign, the sooner they can call a professional to diagnose and repair the issue. The following are warning signs that may be indicative your foundation is damaged:
- Concrete Sinking or Sagging
- Concrete should never sink or sag. If you notice cracks, gaps, sagging sloping, and buckling in your concrete or steps, it is time to call a professional!
- Window or Door Gaps
- Improperly fitted or misaligned windows and doors, as well as doors that stick, may be due to a shift in your foundation.
- Sidewalks, Driveways, Patio Cracks
- Cracks in your concrete walkways, driveways, patios, and pool decks are caused by major soil shifts due to drought, heavy rains, leaks, or other environmental factors.
Pro Tip: Foundation damage symptoms are always indicative of a larger foundational issue, but they are not always located in the same area as the primary damage. Only foundation repair experts can diagnose the problem and identify the exact area in which your foundation needs the most repair.
Detect Foundation Failure through Foundation Benchmarking
Foundation failure, also known as a differential movement, is a major cause of cracked walls, stuck doors, and cracked windows. Foundation cracks caused by extreme heat and dry soil can be identified through this technology. Benchmark reports are composed of collected data through the use of benchmarking software and survey equipment and can help pinpoint areas of concern. Ask Foundation Pro if Foundation Benchmarking is right for your project!
GPR Concrete Scanning
Coring or cutting through concrete walls, floors, or ceilings can be dangerous and costly without knowledge of what lies beneath the surface. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) takes the guesswork out of residential and commercial foundation repair! GPR is a geophysical radar that pulses to create an image of the subsurface beneath your concrete. Foundation repair professionals can use non-invasive GPR technology to scan for objects, such as mesh or rebar, and make educated decisions about your repair options.
Call Foundation Pro Today for Concrete Foundation Repair!
Go with the Pro! Foundation Pro will start your foundation repair off on the right track with advanced technology such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). Call today to schedule your FREE consultation. The sooner you fix your foundation, the sooner you can get your home back to normal. Call Foundation Pro today at 501-753-1009.
