Hottest summer in years and soils are shrinking!

7-4-2024

Throughout my four-decade career, I have primarily focused on addressing specific foundation problems. Among the recurring challenges I encounter periodically, hot and dry summers stand out as a significant concern. Allow me to explain further: assuming your drainage system functions effectively and there are no leaks, while also considering the absence of excessive moisture beneath your slab or within your crawlspace, the likelihood of substantial cracking or shifting within your residential or commercial property this summer is relatively low.

However, if your drainage system exhibits poor performance, leading to water pooling in close proximity to your dwelling, or if you happen to have a leak in either your incoming or outgoing plumbing, or even in your pool or sprinkler system, the prospect of movement becomes considerably greater. As the intense heat causes the soil surrounding the foundation to contract, various degrees of shifting may occur. The extent of such movement or resulting damage hinges upon the degree of soil swelling underneath your foundation and the level of shrinkage affecting the perimeter foundation beam and its surrounding soil.

It is worth noting that foundation repair companies often promote piers as a solution; nevertheless, this approach is frequently suboptimal, if not entirely unfeasible.

Rest assured, I possess the expertise necessary to provide you with an appropriate solution tailored to your specific needs. I firmly believe in a "no cure, no pay" principle, meaning that if I am unable to assist you, you will not be charged for my services.

Pressure tends to build up around and under slab foundations as the soil swells from the induction of water pulled in by capillary or wicking action. As the pressure increases to a certain point, areas of the foundation will be moved/lifted above grade. As the soil swells the slab will tend to dome.  When the weather heats up to include multiple 100-degree days moisture is pulled from the outside of the perimeter foundation and minor contraction of the soils will take place sometimes causing cracks to appear. This is magnified due to the domed floor. If moisture under the slab was not lifted the center the structure would not likely deflect to the point of causing the doors and window frames to warp and cracks to appear.

I can help you to prevent, stop and usually reverse the movement without the use of piers. Piers are expensive and often not the answer to foundation movement.

Remember foundation companies sell piers while I provide solutions.

Call me for more information or pass this along to friends who may be experiencing these issues.

Richard Rash, Foundation and Drainage Consultant, 817-308-8186

Website: repairfoundations.com

Email: thefoundationman@gmail.com