Soil Erosion | The Catalyst for Foundation Settlement

Whether due to washout or dry-out, soil erosion is nearly ALWAYS the cause of foundation settlement. Let's take a closer look at the three most typical soil erosion catalysts of foundation settlement.

Cause #1: Wetting & Softening of Soil

Heavy Rains

In the Southeast, homes are built atop either clay (inland) or sandy loam (coastal) soil types. Both types are expansive in nature, which means the soil surrounding or supporting your home is highly susceptible to washout or dry-out over time. Southern Georgia and South Carolina receive an average of 50+ inches of rainfall per year – including prominent hurricane seasons along the coasts – so soil washout is the greatest cause of eroding soil for the homeowners Lowcountry serves.

When clay or sandy loam soil becomes over-saturated, it retains water and becomes very soft (mud). Like a muddy river basin or playing field, wet, soft soil can erode away over time, leaving void pockets in the soil. Void-laden soil simply cannot support a home’s heavy foundation walls that sit on top of it, so eventually, those walls may crack and shift, or settle, into the voids below.

Cause #2: Drying & Shrinking of Soil

Drought

Similarly, though not as frequent in the Southeast, extended periods of drought can also lead to soil erosion. As you may expect, when soil does not receive rainfall for extensive periods of time (as was the case, that soil will eventually harden, crumble and erode, like Play-Doh left out in the sun for a week.  When this process occurs, the result is the same – voids left in the absence of where soil once was.

Cause #3: Compression of Poorly Compacted Fill Soil

Lastly, when homes are built, the first step is to dig a big hole. The home's foundation, main floors, and roof are then built before loose backfill soil is then poured back around the home. Unfortunately, loose backfill soil is, of course, far less stable than untouched, virgin soil, so if the fill soil is not adequately compacted, it will eventually compress beneath the weight of the home or erode away around the home. Poorly-compacted soil can either directly result in foundation settlement or can serve as a vessel for rainwater penetration to more easily wash away over time. Regardless of the cause, the result is the same…soil erosion, void pockets, and foundation wall settlement.

“But Maybe My Home is Done Settling”

The continuous cycle of rainy and dry periods that grace the Southeast climate each year is a major factor in settlement, as we all know that Mother Nature never sleeps and can shift on a dime. Being expansive in nature, this wreaks havoc on the soils supporting or surrounding your home, so unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that settling foundation walls are ever “done settling”. In fact, the opposite typically holds true. Problems will often worsen naturally over time.

Fortunately, there is one method for ensuring that the settlement problem your home may be experiencing does NOT worsen, and that’s finding a solution to permanently stabilize your home’s foundation walls.

Our team at Lowcountry Foundation Repair specializes in foundation repairs that ensure your home is permanently stabilized, your family’s living conditions are safe, and your peace of mind is restored. If you’ve noticed wall cracks, door and window jambs, or other signs of foundation settlement, schedule a free inspection with the experts at Lowcountry Foundation Repair to have your foundation evaluated by one of our certified system design specialists and to get your home back on solid ground.