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In Arizona, homes built on expansive clay soil can cause significant foundation damage. This type of soil can expand and contract up to 10%, while frost can cause it to increase by 9%. The structural damage caused by the expansion and contraction of these expansive soils can be severe, and the repetitive swelling and shrinking of these soils will increase the stress on your home’s foundation. Eventually, this stress could lead to foundation settlement and heave.
The good news is that there are many ways to prevent damage to your foundation caused by homes with expansive clay soil. While you can’t completely prevent expansive clay soil from affecting your home, you can take some proactive measures to lessen the damage it can cause. Here are three of those ways. First, consider building your home on top of the slope. Then, if water should collect nearby, it will run down-grade away from your home’s foundation. Second, install a drainage system to help water run off the soil and away from the foundation.
While expansive soil is a risk in any location, it is especially dangerous in homes with higher levels of structure. This type of soil has the potential to swell and shrink, which can erode the foundation and upper floors of your house. This type of soil also contributes to cracking and other structural issues. It is important to know what to look for in a home with expansive clay soil so you can avoid buying one.
In the Desert Southwest, clay-rich soils are highly susceptible to expanding and collapsing, making them a common problem. These soils are commonly found throughout Arizona, from Yuma in the southwest to the northeast corner of the Colorado Plateau. They contain microscopic-sized minerals that can cause large volume changes during heavy rainstorms and shrink as the weather changes. As a result, they can cause considerable damage to homes, sidewalks, roads, and pipelines.
These soils are widely distributed in several countries and six continents. In the United States, they are primarily found in North and South America, but are also found in Africa, Asia, and Europe. They are also found in many valleys and river bottoms. Expansive soils are highly sensitive to environmental conditions, and they are best avoided wherever possible. But if you must build a home or build a swimming pool on them, you can take these factors into consideration when choosing your building materials.
The expansive clay soil of Gilbert, Arizona can support weight up to three feet on top of the soil. This type of soil is very common in this landlocked state and is a major structural issue. Homes and buildings built on this type of soil are prone to foundation heave, a problem that can be very difficult to correct once it has occurred. Below is some helpful information about this type of soil:
In the southwest part of Arizona, expansive clay soil is similar to that found along the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. In fact, it is most common in riverbeds and valleys near the ocean. Its clay content has long been utilized by Native Americans, who had adapted to the area to avoid problems associated with foundation heave on sandy soils. Because this type of soil is so unstable, ancient people in Arizona used it wisely.
In addition to expansive clay soil, another important concern for builders is the presence of water in the soil. These conditions can cause a foundation to shift and crack, putting added stress on the structure. For this reason, it’s crucial to know the characteristics of expansive soil before starting construction. Luckily, there are several steps you can take to prevent expansive soil from becoming a problem. Read on to learn more about the effects of expansive clay on foundation settlement.
The swelling potential of soil varies with its mineral composition, in situ moisture content, and density. A good way to determine how much clay is present in a particular site is to have it tested by a soil-testing company. The testing can identify if your site is at risk for settlement. A clay with a high natural water content tends to swell more easily than soils with low water content. The process of testing expandable clay soil can begin early, when it’s still relatively unproblematic.
When setting foundations for your home in expansive clay soil, you’ll want to use a contractor who knows how to properly mitigate the effects of this type of soil. Though rising construction costs make it tempting to cut corners, doing so will likely result in extensive damage later. Expansive clay soil is filled with tiny clay particles that are invisible to the naked eye, yet they are capable of absorbing water efficiently. As a result, when water dries out, they contract and release water to evaporation.
Because expansive soils expand and contract at different volume ratios, it’s important to properly grade the soil to prevent this from happening. This grading process can be complex and confusing, and it’s critical to get the help of an expert. Even the slightest mistake in grading the soil can lead to serious foundation problems. Incorrect grading can cause uneven sinking of the foundation, causing cracks or even structural failure.
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