Construction Practices & Soil Conditions That Lead to Settling Slab FoundationsSettlement of concrete floor slabs can be a major problem and can cause serious damages to a home or building. Some of the most common causes for slab settlement include drying and shrinking of soil under a slab, poorly compacted fill soils, and washout of soil.  Each of these conditions create a void under the concrete slab. If the concrete is not strong enough to span the void, the slab will crack, break, and settle into the void. The following paragraphs offer some additional information for some of the more common reasons for slab settlement: Drying and Shrinking of Soil Under the SlabConcrete floor slab settlement is often the result of changes in moisture content or density of the supporting soils.  Soils beneath a concrete slab foundation can dry and shrink over time due to extended drought-like conditions. When this happens a void is created under the slab, causing the slab to sink and crack. Along with a settling slab, interior partition walls may settle and cracking in drywall can occur. Poorly Compacted Fill SoilsDuring construction of a home or building, layers of soil are commonly moved around or spread out to bring grade to the desired level. When the structure is built, footings may be deep enough to extend below the fill soils, but the slab may remain on the fill. Over time, loosely compacted fill soils will consolidate beneath the weight of the slab or fill layers above, causing a void to form below the slab. When this happens, the slab will begin to crack and break as it settles into the void.  Soil Washout - Plumbing LeaksA common building practice is to install plumbing lines below concrete slabs. In some conditions, plumbing lines under a slab can leak, causing erosion and soil is pushed away from under the concrete slab. This displaced soil creates a void beneath the slab, causing the slab to crack and settle.  We are available to help with stabilizing soils and filling those voided areas. If you think you might be experiencing any of these issues, please contact us right away for a free inspection and foundation repair quote.
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5 Comments
7/14/2020 02:06:52 pm
It was interesting when you talked about how leaks in plumbing lines can cause soil to wash away and lead to concrete settlement. My husband and I haven't used our concrete patio much because of the weather, so we were surprised to see one of the slabs had sunken when we went into our yard last night. Thanks for teaching me how to discuss possible causes of the issue with a concrete lifting service! Thanks for pointing out that concrete floor slabs can be a major issue and can cause serious damage to the property. With that in mind, I should contact professionals to check our property and repair the issues. It's because I noticed that we might have one in this house we moved into just outside the garage. 7/19/2022 12:16:01 am
Great blog! I found some interesting things in here that I might use for future references. Hoping to see more of this posts in the future! 11/21/2022 10:26:34 pm
Thanks for helping me understand that the drying and shrinking of soil happened over time under the concrete foundation when there is drought. I hope that does not happen in our area in the future, because we plan to get our house constructed next year. And that might be the kind of foundation we will be getting once we talk to contractors. 11/22/2022 09:05:45 am
There are many potential causes of concrete slab settlement. Poorly compacted soil, for example, can settle over time and cause the slab to settle with it. In addition, changes in moisture content can also cause settlement, as the soil underneath the slab expands or contracts depending on the level of moisture. Another potential cause is poor drainage, which can lead to the build-up of water pressure underneath the slab and cause it to settle. Finally, tree roots can also cause settlement as they grow and put pressure on the slab. All of these potential causes need to be considered when investigating concrete slab settlement. Leave a Reply. |
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We are a family owned and operated company based in Georgia and dedicated to providing a cost effective repair to compromised or settled concrete slabs and soil areas around the home or business, with access to a vast array of knowledge and polyurethane products. We promise to produce long lasting results that we are all proud of.
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