"We Fix Broken Homes" Servicing Raleigh-Durham and
Eastern North Carolina Important: COVID-19 Announcement.
Eastern North Carolina Important: COVID-19 Announcement.
Are you afraid of your home’s structural integrity? If you have read up on foundation care and repair, you’re probably aware of how expansive soil harms your foundation but don’t fall apart. There are preventative measures homeowners can take to prevent damage to their foundation from expansive soil. Don’t fear. Stay informed.
Expansive soil devastates foundations and is one of the leading reasons for building failure in the United States. The losses due to expansive soil soar beyond tornadoes and hurricanes, making expansive soil a significant concern for all American homeowners. Soil expansion occurs in clay-based soils because clay can absorb water and expand like a sponge or balloon. The clay can expand up to 10 percent and exert 20,000 lbs per square foot on larger foundations. The risks of soil expansion weigh in on builders’ and homeowners’ pockets more than people realize.
When the soil surrounding a home expands, shrinks, or shifts, pressure shifts, applying pressure or creating weak spots under the foundation. Lack of stability allows strain to occur around the home’s foundation. Soil expansion occurs with little warning, but there are ways to prevent foundations from falling apart.
There are a few preventative steps to take toward securing your foundation. Here are a few examples.
Selecting a piece of land for construction in a region with low clay content is the first step (if possible). Finding a reliable certified structural engineer with good ratings or who partners with foundation repair companies is next. If foundation companies pull a structural engineer on board for many years, the likelihood of their reliability is high. Not every foundation repair company has an engineer, but many companies prefer structural engineers with the exact requirements. You may employ or use the construction company’s engineer to oversee foundation placement.
Soil-compliant foundation fixtures flex with soil expansion and settling. Methods such as helical piers and carbon fiber strips flex and flow with the demands of soil pressure. Helical pier brackets are combined with helical piers and methods (such as the Atlantic Foundation’s The Stabilizor® offers flex and flow with the soil). Look for foundation repair companies that provide patented helical piers that successfully support weak areas so that when soil changes occur, the piers effectively stabilize your home.
The buildup of water is the common culprit of soil expansion. While you cannot prevent moisture, precipitation, or flooding rains, you can lessen their impact on the surrounding soil. Building a retaining wall, installing a sump pump, installing French drains, and other methods manage precipitation effectively to protect your yard and foundation.
Solidifying your home’s foundation relies on many factors, including the environment, construction, foundation placement, a reliable structural engineer, and maintenance or inclusion of your drainage systems. While there are no guarantees, including all or some of these methods puts your home a step above. Looking for a quality foundation, Srepair company with a quality structural engineer on board and experience installing piers, drains, and sump pump installation does not have to be complicated—Search Angi’s for reliable reviews tailored to your needs and location. Contact Atlantic Foundation and Crawlspace Repair if you live in Eastern North Carolina. We partner with experienced structural engineers, install helical piers like our patented The Stabilizor®, and install French drains and sump pumps. Call us today for a free homeowner’s consultation.
1. How do I keep moisture from stagnating under the house?
Crawlspace encapsulation in your basement or crawlspace helps prevent the buildup of radon, moisture, mold, and possible wood rot.
2. Will crawlspace encapsulation protect my foundation?
While crawlspace encapsulation cannot protect your foundation 100%, the vapor barrier it creates keeps your walls, framework, and basement dry, preventing water stagnation’s devastating effects on the foundation. Including a sump pump or French Drain prevents water damage from occurring to your foundation.
3. Does living on an incline prevent soil expansion?
While living on an incline will keep water from accumulating around the home, soil expansion can still occur as rain, dew, and a moist climate leave clay prone to some absorption. A 10% soil expansion in these regions is unlikely. You can check the soil by sticking your fingers into it a couple of inches.
4. What soils are best for my foundation?
Squishier soils indicate a clay base, while wet-textured soils are less likely to expand. Sandy soils erode quickly. Aim for soils that are an even combination of sand, silt, and clay. These soils are balanced and offer your home’s foundation stability.
Atlantic Foundation and Crawl Space Repair
PO Box 1450
Wendell, NC 27591
Fax: 919-855-0855Service Area: Serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, Surrounding Area and Eastern North Carolina with foundation and crawlspace repair services
Click here for Service Area
