Heavy spring rains have drenched parts of Texas, even to the point of causing deadly flooding. The damaged caused by these floods is always astronomical. In fact, according to FEMA, 90% of disaster related property damage is caused by flooding.
Along with the obvious damage to personal belongings, mementos, heirlooms, etc., the floodwaters are also capable of damaging your home’s foundation. One common problem is the buoyancy of the foundation. When saturated soils due to rain become supersaturated with flooding waters, the foundation acts the same as a boat would in a heaving body of water. The foundation, like a boat, displaces water. The upheaval from the water underneath could damage the integrity of your slab. Portions of the slab could crack because other parts of the slab do not have the same pressure from floodwaters.
A second threat by floods on your foundation is the erosion of soil that supports your slab. When floodwaters withdraw rapidly, the tension and pull of water moving away from your foundation could also pull the soil with it. The withdrawing water could erode the soil supporting either the side of your home’s foundation or soil that has been the base underneath your slab. Without this support, your foundation could be damaged because there is nothing but air between the foundation and the soil underneath. When the area of erosion becomes large enough, the weight of the home and foundation will literally crack the foundation and it will collapse until it reaches support (soil). If the depth of erosion is large enough and broad enough it could literally crack the home in half.
Dawson Foundation Repair has served the residents in the state of Texas since 1984. Our experience is that pressed pilings, cable pilings and steel pilings are not the best method for withstanding the strong lateral forces of floodwaters. That’s why Dawson has used the bell bottom pier method of foundation repair. Each pier acts as a solid unit and is better suited to resist the lateral forces of fast-moving soil and water.
Dawson Foundation Repair understands the problems your home’s foundation faces in the state of Texas. We hope your home is safe from flooding. But if you are unsure about the condition of your foundation, call us for a free inspection.