Common Causes of Foundation Issues

Foundations are the most important part of any house. The right screw pile design hold up the structure keeps it safe and secure and protects the materials inside from water damage. When a foundation is not set properly or maintained well, you can expect some serious problems. Here are some common causes of foundation problems:

Improper grading.

Improper grading is a common cause of foundation problems. Grading is the process of removing excess soil from the foundation area, usually done when the soil is dry. Improper grading can lead to uneven settling or heaving over time, which can cause your house to settle improperly and damage its foundation.

If you’re planning on doing your own grading, be sure to hire a professional who has experience with grading homes in your climate.

Shifting soil.

• Shifting soil. This can be caused by a sudden settlement of soil, which is usually caused by frost heave (the expansion and contraction of soil as moisture content changes), erosion, flooding or earthquakes.
• Poor drainage around your foundation can also cause basement or crawl space problems if water is not able to drain away from the structure.
• Inadequate support for your house’s foundation due to an inadequate number of posts supporting it can lead to problems with your foundation shifting over time due to movement in the ground beneath your home’s foundation
  

Inadequate foundation thickness or type.

Foundation problems can occur for a variety of reasons. One common cause is inadequate foundation thickness or type. The thickness of the foundation for the screw pile design is based on the soil load capacity and your building’s square footage. For example, if you live in an area with heavy clay soil, you may need to use a thicker type of concrete slab than someone who lives in an area with sandy soil.

If this is not done properly, it can cause problems including:

• Foundation cracks – which lead to leaks that damage your home’s interior and exterior walls (further causing cracks)
• Settling – when soil shifts under your foundation due to poor drainage systems, poor construction methods or other factors
• Settlement cracking – when water seeps into cracks between dirt particles and freezes during the winter months, making these cracks wider

Plumbing leaks.

Any leaks in your home can cause damage to the foundation, and this is especially true for plumbing leaks. A leaky faucet or toilet may seem harmless at first, but it can lead to serious problems down the road.

Even if you don’t have a plumbing leak right now, there’s no telling when one will occur. If you suspect you have a leak somewhere in your house, contact an expert immediately before things get worse!

Conclusion

If you are having a problem with your foundation, it is important to know what the cause of the problem is so that it can be remedied. Some common causes of foundation issues include improper grading, shifting soil and inadequate thickness or type of foundation.