Soggy Foundation

Groundwater and rainwater affect your home’s foundation.

These effects may be different depending on where you live.  If the soil around your home drains efficiently, the rainwater penetrates and is carried away. On the other hand, if the soil around your home is dense and absorbent, this can cause the ground to swell, which puts pressure on the foundation of your home, known as hydrostatic pressure. Over time this pressure will cause bowing or cracking of the foundation walls.

 Rain fall is a good thing we depend on it to live long healthy lives, but like anything too much of a good thing can quickly turn into a bad thing. High amounts of rain in a short amount of time can cause major flooding and lead to a number of hazards such as loss of lives, damage to buildings, loss of crops and livestock.

  The water will try to soak into the ground first but once over-saturated the water has no choice but to rise. It can puddle looking more like a lake in your yard.

 Ground water levels can reap havoc on your home’s foundation.

A rise in ground water level can cause a reduction in strength of the soil, letting the weight of the foundation sink, or can lead to landslides, where big sections of slopes fail and slid down sometimes bring homes with them.

When there is a drop in the groundwater level it can cause the soil to settle or compact, leaving voids or open space between your concrete floor and the ground causing the concrete to fall, crack, or a brake.

When this happens over and over, the water underground can cause more ground to be washed-out ultimately opening sinkholes.

 Crack or gaps in the foundation can also allow water to get in the basement and or crawlspaces causing flooding, weakening the support system, and mold growth. All of this will damage your home affecting the safety and health of the structure and your family.