Why Do Foundations Fail?

Flooding

Flooding and heavy rains are not uncommon during the winter months. Water can seep in through cracks in the floor or walls of a basement, expanding and putting pressure on the concrete. When the water recedes, it can leave cracks behind and make your home more vulnerable to water during the next heavy rainstorm.

Large Trees

Trees planted too close to your foundation can pose a slow-growing problem. Tiny new roots, seeking water, force themselves between hairline cracks in concrete, forcing it to crack further. The roots of mature trees expand and contract as they soak up water, displacing the earth underneath a home's foundation. Cracked, broken concrete in nearby sidewalks and driveways can be an indication that roots pose a risk to your foundation.

Expansive Soil

Certain types of soils in the Pacific Northwest absorb water and expand, exerting significant pressure against the foundation and causing it to move. This type of damage happens slowly overtime but often gets to a tipping point that can accelerate rapidly. Expansive soil often compounds problems caused by poor construction.

Consolidating Soil

Consolidating soil has the opposite effect of expansive soil, causing soil to shrink and compact. It occurs naturally as water is squeezed out and the volume of earth decreases, often times during a drought. This undermines the foundation, making it unable to support the weight of the house evenly, eventually making the structure unbalanced. Houses built on hills or with a hot, southern-facing exterior are particularly susceptible to consolidating soil. Uneven sidewalks and driveways can be signs of foundation damage.

Poor Drainage

Ensuring proper drainage by keeping your gutters clear and downspouts pointed away from your home can prevent soil erosion around the foundation and reduce the risk that water will seep into your basement.

Poor Construction

Cheap building materials, poor planning, and shoddy work all spell trouble for a home's foundation. If the soil was not properly compacted during construction, it compacts after the home is complete - and it may not be perfectly level. Inaccurate grading and poorly placed structural reinforcements can also cause damage to a home's foundation.

Plumbing Leaks

Depending on the severity and longevity of a plumbing leak, damage can occur from hydrostatic pressure on the foundation or load bearing walls, or through the expansion (getting wet) and contraction (drying out) of the soil under the foundation. Plumbing leaks can cause cracks in the foundation, gaps, misalignment, warped surfaces, and sticky doors and windows.

Evaporation

Low-quality soil, organic components and debris hold water. When the water evaporates, the material contracts. If that shrinking, shifting material is beneath a house, the foundation can suffer severe damage. As soil contracts, it pulls away from the foundation, leaving it unsupported and vulnerable to uneven settling. Water stains, cracks, and misaligned floors and doors may indicate evaporation issues in your home.