Foundations are by far the most important aspect of a property’s structure. Without foundations you would find that your property would face a lot of shifting and would have no stability. You could also see subsidence, where your building begins to crack or warp. A deep foundation is often thought to be invincible because the problems that are faced with surface soil displacement cannot affect their stability, however there are other factors that can lead to foundational problems too.
Poor drainage
Foundations can be often damaged by soil that puts unnecessary pressure on the support. Over time, this can lead to movement and displacement. The biggest issue we usually come across is poor drainage as this can lead to oversaturation the soil. This can then lead to swelling and create an unstable foundation. In the majority of cases, foundation problems that are caused by poor drainage can manifest as short downspouts, clogged gutters and even a lack of water proofing.
Lack of grounds preparation
Regardless of whether or not a foundation is deep or shallow, it is extremely important that the soil is prepared before the commencement of any work. In fact, it is very important there is an on-site evaluation before any work takes place to be able to identify any specific needs the site may have. This is so the ground can be adequately prepared and provide a foundation with ultimate stability from the get-go. If this vital preparation stage escaped then it is possible the foundation may begin to settle as the weight of the building starts to compact the soil, and this can cause numerous secondary problems.
Weather
Another way in which the soil can have an effect on a foundation is through the weather. Both hot and dry conditions can lead to soil shrinkage around the foundation, and this can create instability. This type of displacement will really affect piling approaches as they are a Depop type of foundation. Having said that, poorly designed and installed foundations, and shallow foundations in particular are incredibly vulnerable to damage caused by the weather. This is due to soil shrinkage being able to create gaps that the foundation may settle into, causing subsidence.
It is very important that the construction of foundations is done properly. If you are looking at having foundations construction on your property, then make sure to check out Rhino piling. We have over 100 years of experience amongst our expert team, and only supply the highest quality piling services!
