Regional weather patterns and the type of soil beneath your home contribute to the majority of foundation problems in East Texas.
The Tyler area gets roughly 40 inches of rainfall a year, but we can have long periods of drought during the summer.
When you combine that with the fact that we have a combination of clay and loamy soils throughout the area, potential problems emerge: foundation heave and foundation settlement.
Signs Of Foundation Heave & Settlement
The biggest problem with foundation heave and settlement is that they present the same set of problems:
- Doors & windows sticking
- Cracks developing in floors and walls
- Uneven floors
In order to know for sure, you’ll need a foundation repair professional to assess whether your home is suffering from heave or settlement.
Foundation Heave In East Texas
Foundation heave occurs when the soil beneath a home absorbs and retains a lot of moisture. Most often, this is caused by poor drainage. As the soil absorbs water, it swells. This pushes your foundation out, which is why it’s called “foundation heave.”
Luckily enough, minor cases can be solved by ensuring that the land around your home drains properly. It’s always best to prevent foundation damage before it occurs, so if you notice that your yard is retaining water, you may need a better drainage system.
Clay soil is especially prone to causing foundation heave. It absorbs a lot of water, and eventually pushes up the topsoil directly beneath your home.
Foundation Settlement In East Texas
Foundation settlement is the opposite of heave. Instead of the soil pushing outwards, it sinks inwards. Almost all foundations settle some–most of the time it’s less than an inch. It’s a normal process that can be managed.
Settlement becomes problematic when it’s dramatic, quick, or a combination of the two. This happens when soil that’s saturated with water dries exceptionally quickly, like the soil around your home might during an early summer heat wave.
Both clay soils and silty soils are prone to causing settlement issues. If a really saturated patch of clay soil is allowed to dry out completely, it will shrink dramatically. Silty soil can dry out quickly, which can cause sudden shifts.
Unfortunately, foundation settlement can also be caused by improper site preparation prior to building the home. If the excavation company didn’t properly compact the soil, it can lead to some foundation problems as well.
Do You Suspect Foundation Problems? Contact Lone Star Foundation Repair
Whether you’re experiencing heave or settlement, left untreated you will most likely experience foundation problems. Occasionally, homes can settle and heave uniformly, though. A foundation repair professional will be able to take a look at your home to identify if there’s a problem.
Lone Star Foundation Repair will help give you some peace of mind, and we’ll provide a plan to help you safeguard your home and your family. Contact us today to schedule a phone call to speak to one of our repair persons.
