Foundation Damage & Erosion

Erosion Damage to Foundations

• Water damage and soil erosion -- a result of severe weather, incorrectly installed downspouts or overflowing gutters -- cause most foundation cracks, according to a CBS report on minimizing foundation damage to your home. Depending on soil conditions, erosion problems can be exacerbated by swelling clay soils or by extreme weather such as torrential rainfall and hurricanes.

Construction Methods

• A skilled home builder is one that recognizes soils that are prone to erosion and augments construction accordingly. Creating a positive slope for soil drainage to move away from the home is one of the most common methods for preventing foundation damage from soil erosion. This and other erosion prevention methods are critical in climates that have very wet cool seasons and very dry hot seasons, since this periodic fluctuation from wet to dry weather causes soils to swell and contract and can easily cause erosion damage to foundations.

Preventing Damage

• If you suspect that erosion may endanger your foundation, maintenance efforts can minimize damage. Two recommended methods are installing a piering system, in which steel rods are inserted under the foundation to stabilize and to lift foundations that may sink due to erosion, and underpinning or mudjacking, in which concrete is injected under the slab to stabilize the foundation. The former method provides more long-term protection from erosion damage while the latter is more economical but is not as protective in the long-term.

Repairing Foundations

• In some cases, you may not be aware of erosion damage to your foundation until it is critically damaged. If you do need to repair a damaged foundation, contractors recommend getting quotes from at least three different contractors before committing to any repairs. Ask for references, or for certification information if foundation repair has to be certified and/or licensed in your state. Also ask for bonding and insurance information from the company manufacturing the components of your piering system prior to commencing any repairs.