7 Causes of Home Foundation Problems Part 4

If you’ve been following PierMagic’s “7 Causes of Home Foundation Problems” articles over the past few months, you may have learned that there are some specific occurrences that can lead to home foundation problems. So far, we have covered transpiration, lack of drainage, and poor soil conditions. 

Each is related to the water and soil surrounding your foundation. When a house lacks a strong drainage solution, such as a sump pump or French drain, water left around the foundation of the home is absorbed by the soil, causing that soil to expand. The expansion of soil can press against and weaken the walls and floor of your home’s foundation. 

On the other hand, when trees don’t get enough water, they quickly begin to draw up water out of the soil (transpiration), changing the soil’s conditions. In this case, the soil becomes extremely dry, and it shrinks away from your home, which in turn leaves your foundation vulnerable because it is not supported securely or effectively. 

In this article, we explore evaporation, which - of course - also involves the condition of the soil and water around your home’s foundation. First, we’ll cover the problem and then show you the easiest way to ensure you have a safe, effective solution for your home. 

After all, that’s what we do at PierMagic: we find solutions. As the leading Kansas City foundation repair specialists, we’ve mastered everything from polyjacking and concrete foundation repair, to effective work on post and pier foundations and wall anchoring.

Evaporation: A Significant Cause of Home Foundation Problems

Most of us know about evaporation from a water cycle lesson during grade school science class.. Evaporation occurs during especially hot weather, when water is drawn up out of the soil and condenses in the atmosphere above us. When this occurs, the soil shrinks, changing its density, shape, and position in the earth, especially where it is used as a kind of natural buffer around the home for structural support and security.

However, evaporation doesn’t just affect your soil and foundation during the hottest months. If we have a drought in the summer, the effects of evaporation linger into the winter. It takes a significant amount of time for the soil to rehydrate and return to its original state, so your foundation can remain weakened, even after a drought is over. Additionally, evaporation can occur in winter, though not as rapidly.

Because soil is the natural foundation that wraps around a foundations’ walls, evaporation can lead to home foundation problems that will potentially require a solution from a team of specialists for foundation repair in Kansas City. 

Fortunately, PierMagic is a locally-owned and operated company that is well-aware of soil conditions in this area, and the problems soil conditions can cause for homeowners here. Unlike out-of-town companies that see foundation repair as a one-size-fits-all solution, we’ve tailored our services (including polyjacking, post and pier foundation work, and concrete foundation repair) for Kansas City homes. Each in-field technician is fully experienced in the clay soil that Kansas and Missouri homes reside on. 

How Does Evaporation Create Home Foundation Problems?

As we explained above, evaporation affects the soil’s condition, moving it from its original position around your home. If the soil around your home retracts from the foundation’s walls when water evaporates during a drought, gaps are left between the soil and your foundation. This will lead to a significant effect on your foundation’s walls and floor.

When the soil around your home contracts, your foundation’s walls and flooring are weakened because the soil that was originally there to support it has moved. This can cause cracks in the walls, as well as walls that lean outward. 

Additionally, water can more easily find its way into your home during big rainstorms because the soil will take some time to absorb the rainwater. A rainstorm that occurs when the soil is very dry isn’t simply going to be absorbed by the soil right away. It is more likely that water will fill the gaps where the soil was, and further weaken your foundation. If there are already cracks in your foundation, it is likely that water will find its way into your home.

How to Spot Home Foundation Problems 

If you’re wondering if the recent historic drought in Kansas City has affected your home’s foundation, here’s a list of signs that your foundation has weakened, even after the hottest months and the drought have passed. Remember, evaporation from a drought takes a long time to resolve itself, so you could still be dealing with issues related to soil evaporation well into the winter, and beyond. 

Here’s what to look for if you think evaporation after a drought may have caused issues that could lead to home foundation repair solutions:

Interior

• Cracks in the basement walls
• Specifically, look for vertical cracks and stair step cracks (cracks that ascend like a flight of stairs)
• Cracks around egress windows and door frames
• Water coming up from the floor
• Water coming from cracks
• Air drafts entering the basement 

Exterior

• Cracks in the foundation’s exterior
• Soil eroding away around foundation
• Large, dry cracks in the soil 
• Cracks in the chimney
• A leaning chimney
• Leaks coming from the chimney

How Can PierMagic Solve Your Home Foundation Problems?

PierMagic is always available for a free inspection of your home’s foundation. We know how important it is that you have a fast, efficient, affordable, and trustworthy business for foundation repair in Kansas City. 

We’ll come out to your house and do a thorough inspection of your home’s foundation. This will help us determine what course of action to take. Whatever we recommend, know that our solution will be customized to your particular home, and we’ll ensure a precise, expert repair. Additionally, our home foundation repair solutions - including polyjacking, post and pier foundation work, and concrete foundation repair - add value to your home. Our work isn’t just a quick one-size-fits-all fix. Our goal is to make your specific home more valuable, safe, and secure.

Tap Into the PierMagic Solution for Home Foundation Problems and More

Perhaps you’ve already done a personal inspection of the interior and exterior of your home, and you’re noticing signs that tell you Kansas City foundation repair experts are needed. 

If so, we look forward to working with you, as we take pride in providing solutions for the many communities of Kansas City, including Grandview, Olathe, Overland Park, Leawood, Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Harrisonville, Liberty, Parkville, and KC metro. Our roots are here in this area, so we want to see our homeowners get the excellent home foundation repair solutions they deserve.

We understand budgets and interest rates impact home improvement decisions, so we offer financing, including simple monthly payments. We’re here to work with you to ensure all home foundation problems are taken care of the right way. For a free quote, give us a call at (816) 765-4800. You can also send us a message online, and we’ll get back to you very quickly. We’re looking forward to assisting you!