Soil

The movement of your foundations slab is based on the moisture content of the soil both around and beneath your home.

Most homes around the Houston area sit on a clay based soil called Beaumont clay. As this soil gets wet it expands, and as the heat of our Texas summers dries the soil it contracts. This differential movement of the soil under your home is most likely the reason that you are noticing problems in your foundation.

Vegetation

Tree roots grow a lot farther than most people think.

Tree roots can grow out much farther than the canopy of a tree. This is needed to prevent the tree from blowing over during a wind storm. We have all seen a full grown tree that has been blown over in a field after a major storm. Have you not been amazed at how many roots there are, and how far away from the trunk that they extend? In doing foundation repair for as many years as Continental Foundation Restoration has, we have witnessed tree roots growing far under a slab. Tree roots as well as bushes and flower garden vegetation demand vast amounts of moisture to survive. The area in which this vegetation is located will contain far less moisture than in non vegetated areas and the soil will contract more. This spot drying condition leads to foundation problems.

Some will recommend installation of root shields. However cutting the roots can cause a healthy tree to die or even become unstable during wind storms. This however is a viable solution for newly planted trees.

Plumbing:

Homes that were built form the 50's to the early 70,s had cast iron drain lines installed under the slabs. Over time this material rusts and eventually deteriorates and allow for water to escape under your foundation. This can lead to foundation heaving and possibly the erosion of the soil under your home, allowing your foundation to settle.

Watering:

One standard method of minimizing the effects of moisture change around your home is through the use of soaker hoses around your home. It is virtually impossible for a home owner to maintain the moisture content of the soil by placing a soaker hose around there home on top of the ground. Proper placement for a soaker hose is about 12" away from the foundation and 18" buried in the ground. In this manner the capillary action of the soil will spread this moisture in a more even distribution. Most of the water placed on top of the soil evaporates and just adds to your water bill with out doing the job that you have intended. A home owner should be careful to find out what type of clay based soil you have around your home. If it is silty, sandy, clay based soil you can over water far too easily and cause damage to your home.