Additional Causes of Foundation Heaving Damage

 

Plumbing Leaks & Foundations

Lifting foundations can break pipes and sewer lines running through the floor and underneath the foundation. That moisture will cause the soils to swell and lift even more.

 

With the right conditions, a leak of .43oz of water per day can result in a potential swell force of 9,000 pounds per square foot!

Along with heaving damage from rainwater-drenched soils, we also find these causes of foundation heaving:

Abnormal Soils During Construction

If your home was constructed during very dry soil conditions, then its potential for expansion is especially high. As the soil returns to its normal moisture level, it will expand much more drastically than usual, lifting and damaging your home.

Poor Fill Soil

Often, soils are added underneath your foundation to fill in voids and gaps, including underneath your foundation floor. If these soils are brought in from outside, they can sometimes expand at different rates than the soil under your home, causing uneven shifting and cracking of the foundation.

Over-Compacted Soils

Soils added under a foundation must be compacted so they're not fluffed from being dug up.

Sometimes, a contractor will compact this soil too much. As over-compacted soil expands, it will lift the home too much, leading to damage.

Frost Heave

 Persistent cold weather will cause the earth to be frozen more and more deeply. As the water freezes underneath your home, it will expand by about 9% of its volume. This will thrust the soil upwards underneath your home, raising your home- with pressures as high as 50,000 pounds per square inch.

Trees/Foliage

Trees and foliage can drain hundreds of gallons of moisture from your soil in a single day!

This can draw moisture from the edges of your foundation faster than in the center, causing the edges to settle faster and the floor in the middle to raise. If more foliage is on one side of the house than the other, that side may settle faster and cause damage.

Sudden Heavy Precipitation

Heavy precipitation will naturally lead to more moisture underneath your foundation.

This will soak into the soils, and lead to the lifting of your foundation.

Local Foundation Contractors in Colorado

Peak Structural would like to help you address and repair any foundation issues your home may be experiencing. We offer homeowners within our service area FREE, no-obligation foundation inspections and written quotes. If you have a failing foundation, call or contact us today!

We service Colorado, including Centennial, Westminster, Denver, Fort Collins, Arvada, and all areas nearby.