Causes of Foundation Failure

A foundation is the backbone of your home, and it keeps your home stable and secure. However, it’s not safe from damage. Over time, your foundation can face many structural problems, such as cracks, settlement, shifting, and more. The foundation will continue to deteriorate if these problems remain unaddressed. Eventually, your foundation may stop properly supporting your home, which is what we call a foundation failure. In this blog, we will examine the various causes of foundation failure and outline some strategies to prevent future foundation problems.

What Causes Foundation Problems?

A foundation doesn’t fail on its own. Here are some of the most prominent causes of foundation problems.

Poor Drainage

Poor drainage is one of the most common causes of foundation problems and failure. If your foundation is not equipped with proper drainage channels, then groundwater, plumbing leaks, and rainfall put your foundation at risk of failure. That’s why interior and exterior drainage systems are crucial to keep your foundation safe from moisture damage.

Construction Issues

Construction issues are another common reason why your foundation may face problems later on. Poor construction practices, such as inadequate soil compaction and improper concrete curing, can lead to foundation damage over time.

Soil Conditions

Soil conditions are directly related to common foundation problems, such as settlement, shifting, and cracks. Inadequate soil strength, poor soil compaction, and moisture content in the soil can lead to severe structural damage in your foundation. If your home is built on clay instead of soil, that’s another consideration you need to take into account.

Extreme Weather

Extreme weather conditions take a toll on your foundation over time. Heavy rainfall, snow, heat, prolonged drought, and freeze-thaw cycles can cause the soil around your foundation to expand and contract, causing your foundation to shift and crack. This affects the structure of your building, potentially leading to complete foundation failure.

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are a common cause of foundation damage and failure. Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and even prolonged droughts can all lead to soil movement. This movement can severely damage your building’s foundation. Even if your foundation doesn’t fail instantly, you may notice cracks, unevenness, and other warning signs of damage.

Tree Roots

Tree roots are a lesser-known cause of foundation damage. As tree roots grow, they seek out water and nutrients in the soil. As tree roots draw moisture from the ground, the soil beneath your foundation may shrink and settle. Tree roots may also put pressure on your foundation as they grow.

Poorly Compacted Soil

Soil compaction, a major step in foundation construction, provides your foundation with support over time. If the soil is not compacted properly, the foundation may sink and settle significantly, resulting in cracks and structural instability.

Soil Erosion & Expansive Clay Soils

Soil erosion occurs when soil is carried away by water, leaving gaps and voids in the soil and making your foundation unstable. Expansive clay soils swell when wet and shrink when dry, exerting on-and-off pressure on the foundation. Both soil erosion and expansive clay soils create risks for your foundation.

Preventing Foundation Failure

To protect your foundation from failure, take the necessary steps to safeguard it and make it strong and durable. Here are a few measures you can take:

• Ensure proper drainage: Ensuring proper drainage includes grading the soil, installing interior and exterior drainage systems, and installing and regularly cleaning gutters and downspouts that extend several feet from the foundation.
• Control tree and shrub root growth: While landscaping adds beauty to your home, trees and shrubs planted too close to the foundation can absorb significant amounts of moisture from the soil, causing it to shrink and potentially damage the foundation. Maintain a safe distance between large plants and your home, and consider root barriers if necessary.
• Regularly inspect for warning signs: Periodically walk around your property and inside your home to look for early indicators of foundation issues, such as cracks in the walls, sticking doors or windows, sloping floors, or visible gaps between the walls and ceilings. Early detection allows for timely repairs.

Key Takeaways

Understanding the common causes of foundation failure helps homeowners get to the root cause of damage to their foundation and protect their home. Factors such as soil conditions, water damage, and poor construction can all contribute to significant structural problems. Proactive inspection and timely repairs are essential to maintaining the integrity and safety of your home. For expert foundation repair, contact Bluebird CFW today. Our experts will assess your foundation and implement suitable repairs that will safeguard your home for life.