How Many Types of Foundation Settlement Are There?

There are mainly two types of foundation settlement, each with their own issues and causes. 

Differential Foundation Settlement 

Differential settlement is the settlement that occurs at differing rates between several different portions of a property. It results from a difference in loads, soils, or structural systems between parts of a property. In the case of differential settlement, different parts of a property’s structure settle by different amounts. 

As a result of differential settlement, your property may become distorted. Your floors may slope, and walls and glass may crack. Your doors and windows also might not work correctly. Differential settlement also might force your property to shift out of plumb, leading to cracks in the foundation. The majority of foundation failures can be attributed to severe differential foundation settlement. 

Uniform Foundation Settlement 

Uniform foundation settlement occurs when a foundation settles nearly at the same rate throughout all parts of a property. If all parts of a property rest on the same type of soil, then uniform settlement is the most probable type of settlement to take place. 

Similarly, when loads on the building and the design of its structural system are uniform throughout, the anticipated settlement would most likely be uniform. Generally, a uniform settlement does not have a lot of detrimental influence on a property’s safety. However, it influences the property’s utility and causes problems such as damaged sewers, poor water supply, and jammed doors and windows.