Recognizing the Signs of Foundation Heaving

Signs That May Be Occurring on Your Property

If your home were to be constructed today, your contractor would likely lay a wide-bottomed foundation to protect it from foundation heaving and other common problems. If your property was built several years ago, however, it may be susceptible to some of these problems. Though foundation heaving is a gradual process, you can look for signs that this may be occurring on your property:

Unexplained Cracking

Have cracks appeared on your driveway or basement floor? If this cracking contains intersecting lines, it might be the result of gradual shifting taking place in the foundation of your home. To be sure, you should hire a foundation repair professional to take a look at your property.

Felled Trees

A year or two of heaving may leave no detectable signs on your building. The trees on your lawn, however, may show signs of stress. If otherwise healthy trees are felled or die in the winter or spring, check for other signs of foundation heaving on your property.

High Soil Plasticity Index

The soil plasticity index is a measure of soil’s tendency to expand or contract with various degrees of exposure to moisture. If the index of your soil is higher than 25 and you live in an area where the ground freezes in the wintertime, you should keep an eye out for signs of heaving.

Out-of-Level Pool

If you have an in-ground pool on your property, keep a close eye out for changes in levelness. Cracks on the bottom of your pool are also a sign of foundation heaving.

Change in Drainage

If water that used to drain away from your home’s foundation now drains toward it, foundation heaving may be to blame. If you notice this issue, contact a drainage correction professional to assess and modify your home’s drainage infrastructure.

Are you worried that your home’s foundation has heaved or shifted in elevation? The sooner you have a professional out to examine it, the more manageable your foundation repairs will be. To speak with an experienced foundation repair and drainage correction specialist, call Structured Foundation Repairs, Inc. at 972-484-1200.