What Can Cause a Foundation Problem?

Your home’s roof, walls and foundation form the building envelope that protects the entire interior. The foundation itself supports all of the structure’s weight across a concrete slab. When foundations are properly poured and cured, they can last for generations. However, a problem can arise when a foundation leak develops. As a homeowner, it’s critical to understand what causes foundation problems in the first place.

causes for a foundation problem

Poor Initial Building Construction Preparation

When your home was constructed, a foundation problem might have been born out of poor structural engineering strategies. Any soil must be compacted before a foundation can be placed on top of it. If contractors performed a haphazard compaction job or failed to complete one at all, the foundation can settle into the ground over time. The home’s weight will slowly press down on the concrete and lower soil layers. As the soil becomes uneven, the foundation responds by cracking or shifting. Foundation repair specialists may need to shore up the soil, so that the home doesn’t shift anymore.

Improper Landscape Drainage

You may not realize that the land surrounding your home plays a major role in foundation health. Ideally, the land should slope away from the structure. This land angle allows rainwater to flow into local sewers instead of pudding at your foundation’s edge. When pudding occurs, water seeps into and under the foundation. As the soil shifts with the saturated conditions, the foundation moves as well. Concrete cracks and shifting are bound to occur at this point. It’s important to work with landscaping professionals if there’s obvious pudding at the foundation. The yard must be altered to provide good drainage with each rainfall.

Drought Conditions

Saturated soil contributes to foundation problems, but drought conditions are also a major problem. For Texas in particular, most of the state has clay soil. Clay expands and contracts with the available moisture in the ground. If a rainy season is quickly followed by a warm weather pattern, the ground will quickly contract as water evaporates from the soil. As a result of this soil contraction, a foundation will shift and possibly crack. Homeowners must be diligent about observing their property, so that any slab leaks that do develop can be caught and fixed before major damage occurs.

water pipe leak

Piping Leaks

One of the most common reasons for a foundation problem is plumbing leaks. Your home’s pipes aren’t just in the walls, but they also stretch down into the foundation. If a pipe cracks, any flowing water will enter the foundation area. Over time, even a small plumbing leak creates an expensive foundation repair. Ideally, our plumbing professionals must evaluate your home’s system and locate any troublesome pipes. We offer trenchless repairs in Dallas and surrounding areas, so that your property is disturbed as little as possible during our procedures.

Wandering Tree Roots

If a plumbing issue isn’t addressed, the leak will continue to erode the foundation. The concrete may not be shifting yet, but that water is forming tiny cracks. As moisture seeps into the ground below, tree roots may discover the saturated area. Because tree roots follow any source of moisture, they could slowly grow into the saturated foundation cracks. To combat this problem, allow plumbers to fix the leak as soon as possible and water the tree just under its canopy. Tree roots will concentrate on moisture close to the trunk instead of stretching under the home.

If you’re concerned about a potential foundation slab leak, contact Accurate Leak professionals today. We’re pleased to service the greater Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio areas. Allow our experts to pinpoint your foundation issue, so that you can rest easier at night.

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