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When expansive soil beneath a slab pushes the center portion of the slab upwards, slab edges often appear to look like they are moving down. Raising the slab edges is the wrong repair. Instead, moisture can be removed from the soil, allowing for soil shrinkage and a flat, stable base for the slab.
If your home is built on expansive soil, you are likely to experience cracks in your home from a foundation settlement issue. But most of the time the solution may not always be as clear as it seems. Slab heave and settlement have very similar symptoms, but the solutions are actually the opposite. That means that an improper diagnosis can make the problem even worse.
The experts at Arizona Foundation Solutions of Tucson are here to help you with any foundation soil problem you have. We provide thorough inspections to ensure that we identify the correct source of the problem the first time and implement the proper solution.
Call us today to schedule a free foundation inspection and to learn whether our MoistureLevel Smart Foundation System can help solve your foundation problems. We provide written estimates in Sierra Vista, Tucson, Douglas and throughout Arizona.
In many parts of the country (including Arizona) a phenomenon called expansive soil is experienced, where clay-rich soils damage buildings by expanding and shrinking as soil moisture changes. Unlike permeable soil components (sand, gravel, loam), clay minerals will absorb water molecules and expand in wet conditions. Lab tests have demonstrated that expanding clay soil can exert an uplift pressure of over 5000lbs. per sq. ft. That’s more than enough pressure to lift a concrete slab foundation.
Two benefits from one system. Installing an under-slab air extraction system with a few basic modifications can reliably lower radon gas concentration in your home, while also solving slab upheaval problems.
The problem with foundation uplift is that it often appears that the edges of the slab are being pushed downward. In reality, the center of the slab is being pushed up by expanding soils.
The soil around your home is easily dried out by the sun, plants, and other natural forces. However, those don't affect the soil underneath your home, where rain, leaks, and underground water can accumlate, expand soils, and create foundation heave.
We created the MoistureLevel Smart Foundation System to alleviate expansive soil problems beneath concrete slab foundations. This system uses the technology of a radon mitigation system, which is comprised of a fan and plastic tubing installed underneath the foundation.
This equipment creates suction on the under-slab soil and introduces outside air to the environment. This air will allow evaporation to happen and reduce soil moisture content and soil expansion.
This map displays the likely rate that local soil could shrink or swell depending upon the clay makeup of the soil, which affects the moisture content itself. Clay absorbs moisture, and when the moisture content is high, it has the potential to cause serious damage to nearby buildings known as slab heave.
Common signs are uneven floors, diagonal cracks in bricks and internal walls, and gaps under walls. Where we see moderate or low ratings, we do not need to have as much concern because the extent the soil may expand is far decreased.
If you have problems with your concrete slab foundation, call Arizona Foundation Solutions of Tucson today to schedule a free inspection. Stabilizing soil moisture content could be the simple and surefire solution you’re looking for.
Arizona Foundation Solutions of Tucson is Greater Tucson's expert foundation repair contractor. Our service area includes Tucson, Sierra Vista, Douglas, Marana, Green Valley, Bisbee, Benson, Fort Huachuca, Sahuarita, Willcox and surrounding cities and towns.