Poor Soil Preparation Can Lead to Foundation Problems

How poor soil preparation damages foundations

Soil in its natural state is very strong and sturdy and can hold massive amounts of weight with competent load bearing strata. When new homes are built, the soil is disrupted from its natural state and becomes loose and porous.

The builder will grade the lot to level it out before the foundation is poured, but rarely do builders take the time to compact the soil back to its natural, undisturbed state. Because the soil is not as supportive as it once was before the excavation took place, the heavy weight of your home’s foundation will cause it to settle.

What conditions contribute to poor soil preparation?

Poor soil preparation starts when your home is built. Soil preparation is a vital step for builders to take in order to have a solid base for your home’s foundation to rest on. If the builder did not take the proper steps to prepare the soil before your home was built, it can create serious issues in the future.

However, even after your home is built, various factors can contribute to unstable soils. Changing weather conditions is one cause of poor soil support, as they can expand and contract and create voids in the soil, causing your foundation to settle. If you think your home may be experiencing foundation settlement due to poor soil preparation, our Davenport area team is happy to come out and take a look.