Foundation settlement and movement can be caused by * Building on expansive clay * Compressible or improperly compacted fill soils * Improper maintenance around foundations Whatever the cause, settlement can destroy the value of structures and even render them unsafe. This PDF series is designed to give you more information about cracks, settlement, bowed walls, and shifting slabs. See the complete series for more information about Foundation Repairs.

1. Causes of Foundation Problems in Columbia
MO
Foundation settlement and movement
can be caused by
q Building on expansive clay
q Compressible or improperly compacted fill soils
q Improper maintenance around foundations
Whatever the cause, settlement can destroy the value of structures and even render them unsafe.
Water is the major culprit
In any case, water is the basic culprit in the vast majority of expansive soil problems. Specific
constituents of certain soils tend to swell or shrink with variations in moisture. The extent of
this movement varies from soil to soil.
Those soils highest in clay content are generally more susceptible to swelling or
shrinkage while those lowest in clay content are the least affected. In some areas, the
movement is insignificant; in others, it is quite pronounced.
Depending on where your Columbia, Missouri house was built, and how the contractor
backfilled around the foundation or basement, will determine the stresses your home is under.
The effects of unstable soils

2. When unstable soils are used as a base for a foundation, the tendency for movement is
transmitted directly to the foundation. Since soil movement is rarely uniform, the foundation is
subjected to a differential or upheaval. The problem shows up in both slab, pier and beam type
foundations, especially where the land was re-graded from the original slope.
If all the soil beneath a foundation or slab swells uniformly, there usually is no problem.
Problems occur, however, when only part of the slab settles. Then, the differential movement
causes cracks or other damages. You can find this where a portion of a lot was filled in from
material higher on the hill. The original slope may or may not be more stable than the fill
material. Where a home sits partially on filled land, and partially on the original slope, you can
expect greater stress on your foundation or basement walls.
In residential properties, slab settlement problems can result in potential damage to the
structure, potential accidents, and loss of real estate value.
Poor drainage, tripping hazards, rough floors, unsightly cracks, and equipment malfunctions
may also result from concrete slab settlement.
Your home is unique
As you review this site for information
about your own particular situation,
you may also want to get professional
inspection and evaluation of your
home's unique setting. That
professional may even go back to early
geographic mapping to determine the
original slope before that area was
developed. In some cases, core samples
might need to be taken to see what
material actually sits below your home.
Preserving the value of your investment
Any expenses in this area will determine the resale value of your home, even more than the
economic variables. Ignored, it could render your home nearly worthless, regardless of how
much you paid for it. But, those are extreme cases. Most homes are built conscientiously and to
professional standards according to code. Older homes have had more time for Nature to work
at their base. Many inspections can be done for no cost, as part of a bid for services. Contact a

3. reputable firm and always feel free to get a comparative estimate from their competitor, or
several.
Related Sites From Columbia Foundation Repair
Site:
Foundation Repair Jefferson City, MO
Foundation Repair Fulton, MO Foundation Settlement
Crawl Space Repair Columbia, MO Settlement
Crawl Space Repair Jefferson City, MO Bowed Or Leaning Walls
Foundation Cracks
Also of Interest: Sinking Slab
Foundation Problem Causes
From Gibbons Basement Inc.: Soil Effects
Moisture Effects
Foundation Repair
Exterior Leaks
Causes Of Foundation Settlement
Other Drainage Issue
Foundation Settlement Solutions
Bowed or Leaning Basement Walls Foundation Repair Solutions
Resistance Piers Solutions for Foundation Settlement
Helical Piers Solutions for Sinking Slabs
New Construction Foundation Piers Solutions for Bowed Walls
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Provided as a public service by Gibbons Basement, Inc.