There are a variety of things that can cause a home to experience severe foundation problems. However, in Spokane, some of the most common foundation issues tend to stem from the following:
Poor Soil Conditions
Generally, when soil conditions are poor and contain debris or organic material, it can cause the soil to shrink and expand frequently. This constant compression and expansion often contribute to significant foundation failures. As a result, homeowners with these foundation issues need to correct these problems quickly using helical piers or steel piers before these dangerous conditions expand even further.
An Inadequate Drainage System
When a building or a house is built on an improper drainage system, it can result in numerous foundation problems and failures. This is because the excess moisture from the poor drainage can erode the surrounding soil and cause a settlement, which will impact the house’s foundation. In Spokane, where flooding is relatively common, it is essential that homeowners have a proper drainage system put in. Otherwise, they need to be on the lookout for inadequate drainage, including:
- Yard soil eroding
- Topsoil moving every time it rains
- Water pooling under gutters and downspouts
- Wood floors warping
- Clogged drains
- Crawlspaces with puddles or soggy areas
Plumbing Leaking Problems
You may not think that taking a shower or flushing a toilet can lead to foundation damage, but if pipes are broken or have a steady leak, this dripping water can cause significant problems over time. In fact, when homeowners have pipe issues or plumbing problems, it can lead to devastating shifting foundation issues.
Take, for example, a leak that occurs beneath the foundation. Not only can this leak affect the soil where the slab rests, but it can cause severe foundation damage when the soil that supports the slap is washed away. In Spokane, where slab foundation is quite common, this can mean serious issues for residents.
Inferior Foundation Construction
Unfortunately, even the best construction workers can make mistakes. That is why foundation failure is often a result of faulty human-made materials and human error. For instance, when poor-quality concrete is used, or workers do not allow it to sit long enough to cure it, the result can mean a foundation that is incredibly weak and more likely to suffer from soil movement.
Transpiration
Typically, tree roots extract water from the soil in a process called transpiration. During a dry season, plants fight to survive this excessive heat by leeching to any moisture they can find, including all of the moisture trapped below your home’s foundation. Once this moisture is extracted, the soil shrinks away from the house, leading to foundation issues.
In Spokane, where climate change has significantly increased summer temperatures and summer droughts, transpiration issues have become more common.