Understanding the Causes of Foundation Settlement
Foundation settlement is a common issue that can cause serious damage to your home if not addressed. Understanding the causes of foundation settlement is crucial for homeowners who want to protect their investment. Your home sits on multiple layers of soil, each with different abilities to support its weight. These soil layers formed naturally over time through wind, water, and even glaciers, while some may have been moved by your builder to create a flat surface for construction. Over time, changes in these soil layers can lead to foundation settlement. The best way to protect your home is to start with an inspection. TFS, The Foundation Specialists, offers free inspections for homeowners. Let’s explore the causes of foundation settlement and what you can do to fix it.
What Is Foundation Settlement?
Foundation settlement happens when the soil beneath your home is no longer able to support its weight. As the soil shifts, your home may move, sink, or experience cracks and structural damage. Understanding the causes of foundation settlement involves recognizing three main factors:
1. Drying and Shrinking of Soil
- Drought Conditions: Prolonged droughts can cause the soil, especially clay, to dry out and shrink. When clay soil shrinks, it leaves empty spaces beneath your home. Over time, your foundation may settle into these gaps, leading to cracks and uneven floors.
- Tree Roots: Large, mature trees near your home can also cause foundation settlement. The roots of a tree can extend far beyond its canopy, sometimes reaching underneath your home. As these roots draw moisture from the soil, they dry it out, causing it to shrink and weaken.
2. Wetting and Softening of Soil
- Heavy Rain and Flooding: When clay soil becomes saturated with water, it softens and loses its ability to support your home. This can happen during heavy rain or flooding. As the soil weakens, your foundation may sink or shift, similar to how your foot sinks into soft mud.
- Poor Drainage: If water is allowed to pool near your foundation due to poor drainage, it can lead to soil saturation. Over time, this waterlogged soil becomes weak and unable to hold the weight of your home, causing it to settle.
3. Compression of Poorly Compacted Fill Soil
- In many cases, soil is moved or added during the construction of a home to create a flat lot.
- If this fill soil is not properly compacted, it can compress under the weight of the home, leading to settlement. This is a common issue in newly developed neighborhoods where soil from hilltops is moved to fill in valleys.
Can Foundation Settlement Be Fixed?
Absolutely! Understanding the causes of foundation settlement is the first step to addressing the issue, but it’s important to act quickly before the problem worsens. TFS offers proven solutions to stabilize and repair your foundation. Our team uses advanced techniques like foundation piers to provide long-lasting support and prevent further settling.
How TFS Can Help
At TFS, The Foundation Specialists, we specialize in diagnosing and repairing foundation settlement. Our experts will assess your home and determine the best solution to stabilize your foundation. We offer long-lasting repairs, including:
Foundation Piers:
- We install these deep into stable soil layers to provide permanent support and lift your home back to its original position.
Drainage Solutions:
- Our team improves drainage around your home to prevent water from pooling near your foundation, helping to avoid soil saturation and future settlement.
Soil Stabilization:
- We address poorly compacted fill soil and other soil-related issues to prevent your home from sinking further.
Why You Should Repair Foundation Settlement Now
Foundation settlement won’t fix itself—it will only get worse over time. As your foundation continues to settle, you may experience:
- Cracks in walls and ceilings
- Uneven or sloping floors
- Sticking doors and windows
- Structural damage that requires costly repairs
By addressing foundation settlement early, you can prevent these problems from escalating and protect your home’s value.
Common Foundation Repair Tools
Our team at TFS, The Foundation Specialists, uses several advanced tools to repair foundation settlement effectively:
Push Piers:
- Firstly, our crew deploys rugged steel pier sections, driving them deep into the earth’s soil. After that, they transfer the weight of your home onto their load-bearing strata or bedrock.
- As a result, stabilizing the foundation and providing the best opportunity to lift your home back to its original, level position.
SmartJack System:
- Firstly, our team installs the SmartJack System to lift and stabilize existing beams and floor joists in your crawl space. In detail, we use a solid base of engineered fill to address weak foundation soil, securing steel columns to the beams or joists.
- Additionally, heavy-duty, threaded rods allow for adjustment and a custom fit, restoring your property value quickly.
Crawl Space Encapsulation:
- Firstly, our experts use a 20 mil vapor barrier made from seven layers of high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polyester cord to protect your crawl space.
- Overall, this method prevents mold, structural damage, and musty odors, ensuring a dry and healthy environment.
PolyLevel:
- Firstly, our crew employs PolyLEVEL polyurethane injection for concrete lifting and repair.
- Additionally, we drill penny-sized holes in the slab and inject a structural-grade polymer that expands to fill voids, restoring the slab completely.
TFS, The Foundation Specialists, offers holistic foundation repair tailored to your home and budget. From concrete cracks to sloping floors, TFS has a solution that works for your budget to preserve your home value.
Choose TFS for Reliable, Long-Lasting Solutions
When it comes to understanding the causes of foundation settlement, you need a team you can trust. TFS, The Foundation Specialists, has the experience and expertise to provide lasting solutions. We use proven methods to stabilize your home, ensuring your foundation is secure for years to come. Don’t wait for the problem to get worse—contact TFS for a FREE inspection and take the first step toward a stable foundation.
By focusing on foundation settlement now, you can protect your home from further damage and maintain its value. Let TFS, The Foundation Specialists, provide the solution you need for a strong, secure foundation.
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