How Soil Conditions
Damage Foundations

All structures built on soil experience settlement, the downward movement of the soil when a load is applied to it. However, different soil conditions don’t respond to loads in the same way. Learn how these conditions can impact foundations and everything above them.

Soil Conditions and Damages

Scroll down to see four soil conditions. Hover over the soil samples to view damage associated with them. Click on the images to learn how soil can impact a home's foundations. This infographic works best with desktop.

USUALLY NO
DAMAGE

UNIFORM
SETTLEMENT

Uniform settlement, where the soil under a home settles at the same rate, typically does not cause structural damage.

MOISTURE

Soils that are saturated with moisture have a greatly reduced ability to support a load. Click to learn more.

DROUGHT

Significant drying of soil due to lack of rain causes the soil to shrink. Click to learn more.

DIFFERENTIAL
SETTLEMENT

Differential settlement occurs when improper construction practices, earthquakes, or mixed soil lead to a variable rate of settlement. Click to learn more.

UNIFORM SETTLEMENT

Uniform settlement, where the soil under a home settles at the same rate, typically does not cause structural damage. 
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MOISTURE

Soils that are saturated with moisture have a greatly reduced ability to support a load. Poor drainage away from the home or flood events can weaken the soil, causing the foundation to displace and the home to shift, lean, or sink. 
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DROUGHT

Significant drying of soil due to lack of rain causes the soil to shrink, particularly when the soil content is high in clay. Soil will also dry at different rates during dry periods. Soil directly under the home will retain moisture the longest, while the surrounding soil dries out. This can cause the foundation to rotate. 
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DIFFERENTIAL SETTLEMENT

Differential settlement occurs when improper construction practices (such as poor backfill materials), earthquakes, and/or other mixed-composition soil lead to a variable rate of settlement. This may cause cracks in the foundation, interior or exterior wall coverings, masonry veneers, unlevel floors, leaning walls, and unlevel rooflines.

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GOING FURTHER

Moisture exposure is a leading cause of residential foundation damage, and the trouble doesn’t stop there. An investigation by an expert may be required to confirm moisture exposure, its duration, and the full scope of the damage. Click the button below to submit a project, or to read our article and learn more about this serious peril.