Foundation Maintenance and Footing Performance
Foundation Maintenance and Footing Performance
Residential building performance depends on the foundation maintenance and footing performance design, construction, and a proper foundation maintenance program. Problems in Foundation soil can cause significant movement in buildings. These problems can be up, down, lateral or rotational.
Major Post-Construction Causes Of Movement In Foundation Soil
There are two major post-construction causes: * Significant load increase (often caused by the addition of a new floor to the building) and * Reduction of lateral support of the soil under the Footing due to erosion or excavation. In clay soil, shear failure can be caused by saturation of the soil adjacent to or under the Footing.
Soil - Foundation Movement in Homes
A common cause of foundation movement is the change in water content between rainy and dry periods. All clays absorb and expel moisture, but this absorption and expulsion rate varies with the soil type. As a result, the volume of soil swells or shrinks depending on the amount of water in the soil.
During rainy periods, the swelling of foundation soil first lifts the most exposed perimeter footings and permeates to internal footings. This process creates a dish effect.
In older buildings, this effect is most noticeable in floors with timber flooring supported by bearers and joists. The effect is usually accompanied by floorboards dished out, doors binding on the floor or the door head, and some cracking of cornice mitres.
Recommendations For Homeowners
If you live in an area that is susceptible to moisture changes, there are a few things you can do to help prevent foundation problems. The first thing to do is to try and prevent pooling water around your foundation. This can be done by adjusting the slopes around your home and installing gutters and downspouts that take water away from your foundation. Another solution is to install a root barrier that keeps tree and shrub roots from pulling moisture from your foundation soil. These are relatively inexpensive projects to undertake, and a good way to keep your foundation healthy.
Precise Restumping & Underpinning successfully maintains a reputation for delivering quality, reliable and sound services to clients all over New South Wales, with a licensed builder that personally oversee all works.
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