Problems With Shrinking & Swelling Clays

Cracked Foundations

• Swelling clays, or expansive soils, may increase in size by as much as 10 percent when they absorb water, reports Geology.com. This expansion can have devastating and costly effects on homes. The foundation of a house, because it is generally situated directly on the soil, is subject to the most abuse. Cracked foundations are a major problem in areas where soil swells then shrinks, subjecting foundations first to an increase in pressure, then, often times, to a removal of support from the structure.

Shifting Walls

• The Arizona Geological Survey warns that doors or window that will no longer shut properly may be a sign of damage from expansive soils. The expansion of clay minerals in these types of soils can cause foundations and walls to shift, crack and buckle. Misaligned doors and windows that don't want to shut may be indicators that the walls or foundation of a structure have been damaged by the swelling and shrinking movements of the soil.

Swimming Pool Damage

• In-ground pools may also suffer damage from the swelling and shrinking of clay minerals in soil. The forces of increasing pressure during swelling and the removal of support from the pool during soil shrinking may cause cracks in the pool or buckling of concrete around the pool, explains the Arizona Geological Survey.

Broken Septic Systems

• Septic systems, according to a report from Purdue University, rely on soil to filter wastewater in rural areas. Because of this, expansive soils have a direct impact on the way these systems function. Soil around septic systems remains moist when the system is in use. In an expansive soil, the clays in the soil expand as they absorb water. This action could lead to the system failing by allowing wastewater to bubble up to the surface.