MORE LOCATIONSLearn how water damages the foundation of a building in 4 ways
Excessive water and moisture around the foundation are the biggest enemies of your building. In regions with heavy rainfall and flooding, water is especially the main culprit responsible for causing foundation damage. In the rainy season, it can create havoc by affecting the structure of your building. Serious foundation damage results in significant repair costs. However, most water-related issues can be prevented by early identification and management of the underlying problem. Knowing the factors that are causing damage to your foundation can make you better equipped to deal with the issues. Here are some ways water may be damaging the foundation of your building.
Hydrostatic Pressure
- A properly functioning drainage system is an integral part of a home’s health. Homeowners often overlook the drainage system while performing maintenance checks. However, a failed drainage system causes serious disaster. Over time, the fallen leaves along with other tree debris creep down into the gutters. The accumulation of debris in the gutters causes a blockage which impedes the proper water flow. When that happens water begins to overflow down the house. The water that flows down directly seeps into the soil surrounding the foundation.
The soil surrounding the foundation of buildings is more penetrable than the rest of the soil in the area. Because this soil is loosened and broken up making it absorb more water. Between the natural soil and foundation, waterlogged saturated soil exerts pressure on the walls. This pressure is known as hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure is responsible for causing the walls to cave in thus causing foundation cracks.
Expanding Soil
- This type of soil also poses a serious threat to the foundation of buildings. As the name implies the expansion or spreading of the soil makes the foundation walls crack or bow in. Wet clay soil is a specific type of soil that is liable to expansion. If wet clay soil surrounds your house or building, you may be in trouble. The clay drenches in water and expands. Now, when this saturated soil dries, it shrinks and causes tremendous damage to the foundation.
The damage is visible in the form of a cracked foundation. This happens because expansion exerts a considerable force on the foundation walls thereby causing the walls to crack.
Soil Erosion
Water or moisture in the soil causes soil erosion or shifting. This weakens the support of the building thus causing destruction. Other ways water can cause damage to the foundation of buildings include destruction of the wooden parts of the structure which causes them to rot. Prolonged moisture also triggers the growth of mold around the walls.
Snow And Frost
- Snow and frost are potentially damaging to the foundation of the buildings especially in areas where it snows or rains quite often. The problems arise particularly when the soil around the building is more water-absorbent. It is indicated that frozen water can expand up to 9%. So when the frost comes in, the water in the soaked frozen soil around the building expands to a great extent.
Thus causing the buildup of pressure which in turn damages the foundation. Maintenance checks are necessary and can save you a great deal from chaos. But you cannot change the type of soil your foundation was built on.
- So when you begin to notice wet soil and leaks in or around the foundation, it may be the right time to call for help. Contact Crack-X at 877-727-2259. We can fix all sorts of foundation cracks and other related issues. Our experts will assess the damage and provide necessary crack repairs. We are located in Maine and New Hampshire.