Many people know that ground soil changes over time, which can devastate your home’s foundation. However, fewer people know that different soil types make for excellent or poor base materials for house construction. Here’s how different types of soil affect your home’s foundation’.
Loam
Loam is a common soil comprised of various other soils, such as sand, silt, and clay. It appears dark in color with a soft, crumbly texture. Given it’s balanced nature, it’s typically used for home foundations. It does not shift, expand, or contract easily compared to other soils. It also has a high moisture absorbency rate, making it more resilient to ground differentiation and flooding. Loam is a great material for post and beam foundations in house construction since it helps control humidity. Assuming there is a 40/40/20 ratio of clay, sand, and silt, the foundation should remain in good standing.
Clay
If the soil is just clay, there may be some risk for issues. Clay particles are incredibly absorbent, making them permeable to expansion when in contact with a lot of moisture. Damp clay also molds easily. Further, once the clay dries, it can drastically shrink. These characteristics make clay a great risk for soil expansion and contraction, which leads to further settlement problems. Look for foundation issues following a heavy rainstorm or drought to see if the ground changes.
Peat
Peat is another one of the different types of soil affecting your home’s foundation. Peat is a dark brown or black form of decayed vegetation or organic matter commonly found in bogs, swamps, or peatlands. It’s natural proximity to moisture makes it ideal for humid, moist climates. Still, peat is notorious for becoming extremely dry during the summer. It’s also notably combustible, making it a serious fire hazard. Peat remains one of the worst options for home construction due to the fire risk and its greater, perplexing risk for ground differentiation.
Silt
The last type of soil to note is silt. It is a granular material made of sand, clay, and quartz. It’s course nature makes it a poor building material that traps water and causes the ground to shift and expand. Silt cannot support the weight of an overbearing structure. Long-term stress can thereby cause structural damage. Using concrete piers to pace the building rather than letting it sit directly on top of the soil is the best way to circumvent this issue.
Foundation issues can occur anytime, anywhere, due to inclement weather, natural wear and tear, and the property’s age. If you’re looking for a professional home repair company in Mississippi, call The Crack Guys. We offer affordable home repair services, and our team is ready to fix any foundation issues you may be experiencing. Whether ’it’s your foundation, crawlspace, slab, or floor supports, we have the tools, knowledge, and experience to get the job done. Call now with any questions or to schedule your free initial inspection!
