Foundation Repair Causes

Tree Roots

Everyone loves beautiful trees in their yard, but sometimes, tree roots can actually damage soil. This is because tree roots depend on moisture that is absorbed into the soil around them. When a tree is large enough, it might suck up so much moisture that the soil around your home becomes dry, cracked, and brittle. Moreover, as tree roots expand and grow further into the ground, it can cause the soil to shift. Both of these factors contribute to weakening soil which won’t be able to support your foundation. Eventually, your foundation sinks into the ground and cracks.

Poor Compaction

During construction of a new home, land must be filled in to provide stable, level ground for the new foundation. Usually, this soil is transported from a separate location, so contractors must press it together to emulate the natural process that creates sturdy soil. Unfortunately, this artificial process doesn’t always go to plan and small pockets of air form within the fill soil. When this happens, the poorly compacted soil is at risk of collapsing in on itself, making it unable to support the weight of your foundation. As with other soil issues, foundation damage eventually takes place as your foundation sinks into the soil.  

Hydrostatic Pressure

Hydrostatic pressure refers to the increasing amount of pressure that water exerts the deeper it is underground. It’s the same thing that happens when you dive deeper into a pool – the water begins to press down harder on you and pressure seems to build in your ears.  

Hydrostatic pressure occurs when water is absorbed into the soil. As it drains further below the surface, it exerts more and more pressure onto the soil around it. Over time, this can cause the soil surrounding your home push up against the foundation. This shifting might cause wall cracks, tilting, bowing walls, and other foundation problem signs.