Homeowners in Oregon and Washington are accustomed to frequent rainfall, but when the storms subside, the water absorbed by the soil remains, creating potential issues.
Expansive soil is a common occurrence in the Pacific Northwest, characterized by its tendency to swell when wet and shrink when dry. This cycle can gradually undermine the integrity of your home’s foundation. In the United States, expansive soil contributes to $2.3 billion in damages annually to various structures, surpassing the combined toll of floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes.
In the Pacific Northwest, the effects of expansive soil become visible relatively quickly. As rainwater seeps down to the soil beneath your home’s foundation, it causes the soil surrounding the perimeter to expand, exerting pressure on the foundation walls. This often manifests as cracks in the drywall or the foundation itself.
Over time, moisture can penetrate beneath the center of the foundation slab, exacerbating foundation and wall cracks.
The bottom line is that foundation problems won’t resolve themselves and will worsen with time. Not every home is affected by foundation issues, however, if you are worried about your home, schedule a FREE consultation with TerraFirma to have one of our System Design Specialists evaluate your property!