You’ve asked, and we’re answering. Is it smart to fill gaps between soil and foundation? You raise your eyebrows in concern when you see dirt pulling away from your home’s foundation. Today, we’ll tell you why that’s happening and what you should do.
There are plenty of opinions out there. We hope you’ll trust our experience as we present this brief guide. A home should be safe, comfortable, and maintained properly. If you’ve got dirt pulling away from a house foundation, we’ve got professional recommendations.
Dirt Pulling Away from Foundation – What Does It Mean?
In short, the soil is drying out. The heat and dryness have caused the soil to contract. When this happens, the dirt pulls away from the structure. Different types of soil expand and contract. In Houston, our soil has a lot of clay and it contracts as it dries out. Conversely, clay expands when it’s wet.
How to Fix Soil Pulling Away from Foundation
This does present a problem – one you’ll want to fix. It seems like a simple, natural process. It is. But all the contracting and expanding can have serious effects on your slab foundation.
Think about it. Your slab foundation rests directly on top of soil. The soil is the “foundation” of your foundation. No matter what you’ve heard, we’re here to say that moisture levels matter in this regard. The long-term stability of your house depends on it.
Proper steps now also keep you from spending thousands in foundation repair later. So, please don’t wait to contact URETEK Gulf Coast if you have questions or concerns about your foundation.
Does Watering the Foundation Work?
Some recommend using a soaker hose to “water” the foundation. We don’t recommend that at all. And here’s why: the average person doesn’t complete the task frequently enough. But they also don’t know when to stop doing it.
It takes a team of professionals to observe, estimate, and repair the right way. In the long haul, you’ll be glad you took the time to handle the cracks in soil around the foundation. Before extensive and expensive damage.
Avoid Filling Foundation Perimeter with Soil
When some homeowners notice gaps, they simply think to add soil – that the empty space simply needs to be refilled. It’s the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. That’s not a good idea, though.
Adding extra soil can add pressure to structures once healthy moisture levels resume. When that new dirt becomes wet, it expands. What’s more, you might see additional issues with interior walls cracking.
Get a Professional Foundation Inspection
Don’t leave cracks and gaps unattended. Things will only worsen over time. And taking matters into your own hands is rarely a smart idea. We do this kind of work every day. Our professionals can get to your specific issue quickly. And we’ll handle it properly from there.
We have an array of solutions like foam foundation repair or pressed pilings foundation repair in Houston.
Contact URETEK Gulf Coast for a Free Foundation Repair Estimate
We encourage you to use URETEK Gulf Coast’s Houston foundation repair services. We keep your family in mind and tailor solutions to meet your specific needs. We have high standards and boast cost-efficient methods.
Get your free estimate from our trusted team today! We’re trained to see the need and meet you where you are. Every home is different. Every season and its weather patterns are unique. We’re in tune with it all, and we’re here to serve you and your family through it all.