What Causes Foundations and Slabs to Sink?
Being a homeowner comes with a lot of responsibility and stress, but it is worth it to own your residence. With all of the various elements to a home, trying to keep up with everything can become a bit overwhelming at times. Among the most serious issues that you will encounter in your home is in regards to your foundation. There are a number of different repair issues that can arise with your foundation and the key to minimizing the damage is getting it fixed as soon as warning signs arise.
One of the most serious foundation related repair you will encounter is a sinking or settlement in the concrete slab. This issue can be caused by a number of different factors and will only get worse the longer it is left unattended. As soon as you think your slab or foundation is sinking, you need to call in a reputable professional to take a look. They will be able to get down to the root cause of the problem and fix it to eliminate any further issues. Here are a few of the common causes that will lead to the foundation in your home sinking.
Weak bearing soils
One of the most common causes of foundation sinking is a weakened soil beneath your home. This type of soil is unable to support the weight of your home, which will lead to the slab itself sinking into the soil. You need to speak with the foundation professionals in your area to get an idea on what you can do to fix this problem for good. They will be able to lay out a few different options for you to consider.
Poorly compacted soil
Another very common causes for this foundation issue is the home being built on soil that has not been adequately compacted. Putting a home on this type of soil can lead to sinking due to the loose nature of the ground below. The longer this problem goes unfixed, the more damage you will have to contend with. By calling a professional you will be able to get the permanent fix you need to keep this problem from reoccurring.
Changes in soil moisture
Many people fail to realize just how too much moisture in the soil around their home can affect the condition of their foundation. The moisture will cause a weakening in the soil and will allow for the foundation to sink considerably. On the flip side, not enough moisture will lead to a reduction is soil stability and can also cause a variety of different issues. You need to speak with the foundation professional to figure out what you can do about the moisture content of your soil.
Trees and other vegetation
Yet another very common issue that can cause instability in the soil under your slab is vegetation and trees close to the home taking all of the moisture away. The larger the trees and vegetation around your home are, the more water they will remove from the soil. In some cases, the trees may have to be removed in order to solve the problem permanently. The professionals you hire will be able to give you some options on how to best fix your slab and moisture issues.
The sooner you are able to address the issues you are having, the easier you will find it to reduce the damage your slab problems cause in your home. One of the most important things you need to during this process is to find the most reputable and experienced foundation repair company in your area. The time and effort you spend finding the right company will be more than worth it in the end.