Foundation Cracking and Clay Soil in Henderson, KY
Why did my foundation crack?
Cracking in concrete is a natural phenomenon because it is strong in compression, but very weak in tension. When a concrete foundation wall encounters stress forces from outside elements like expansive soil, the portions of the wall that are experiencing tension will crack. Some of the forces that can act against your foundation on a regular basis include: seasonal temperature changes, seasonal soil swelling and shrinking due to weather and watering, and changes to grading due to landscaping or soil erosion over time. Occasionally, the addition or removal of plants, shrubs, or trees can also affect your concrete foundation.
Some indications that you are dealing with expansive soils are:
- Foundation cracks;
- Heaving and cracking of floor slabs and walls;
- Jammed doors and windows;
- Ruptured pipelines; and
- Heaving and cracking of sidewalks and roads
If you are experiencing any of these problems, it’s important to be proactive. The longer that expansive soils exert pressure on your foundation, the more costly and difficult fixing those problems can be.
Vertical vs. Horizontal cracks
Most residential foundation walls are designed to withstand the forces present in standard/normal soil conditions. In some cases, foundation walls have been reinforced, or otherwise altered due to high ground water or soil concerns. You will usually see cracking occur in three ways: vertically, horizontally, or diagonally from
Just because a wall has cracked doesn’t mean that it has failed as long as the crack is small and unchanging. If the crack is 1/8 inch or less, is nearly vertical, has no lateral separation (spreading), is not very deep, and does not have moisture present, then it should be monitored, but action is not usually required. This type of crack is a shrinkage crack and occurs as moisture in the wall evaporates, causing the concrete to shrink into voids created by the escaping water.a stress concentration.
Horizontal cracks require more attention. A horizontal crack is concrete’s way of ripping or splitting due to excess tension in that area. According to Residential Concrete Magazine, all horizontal cracking should be checked out by foundation repair industry professional as soon as possible because these cracks tend to grow rapidly.
You may notice cracks spreading out from a corner diagonally. Whenever concrete forms a sharp angle, there is a stress concentration that almost always results in tiny, surface crack. These cracks are called “reentrant cracks”. If these cracks deepen, thicken, or grow, it is time to consult an expert about reinforcing the area since the stress concentration is breaking down the concrete. There is one type of crack that is always a concern: tapered cracks. If a crack is larger at one end, it indicates shifting and other movement in the foundation.
Fast Facts on Expansive Soil:
1. Expansive soil is soil that contains a high percentage of certain types of clay that absorb vast quantities of water.
2. Most soil in the Henderson, KY area can be classified as a swelling soil.
3. Soil to expand 10% or more as moisture enters it, usually during winter snow melt and spring run off.
4. Expansive soil contracts when the moisture evaporates during our hot summer months, causing extreme differences in the pressure being generated on foundation, driveway, or patios.
5. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that these soils are responsible for more home damage every year than floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined.
Resolving Structural Issues Due to Expansive Soils
Unfortunately, cosmetic repairs such as new paint or stucco will not fix problems caused by expansive soil. That’s why it’s important to have a professional service company to come in to your home with engineered work that is backed up with warranties and guarantees to protect your investment. The service company should hire an independent, professional Geo-technical Engineer can make a site inspection and perform laboratory tests. After analyzing your particular situation, he can make recommendations specific to your property.
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