The Big Squeeze: How the Soil Around Your Home Can Break Your Foundation

  When you think about what can damage your home, you probably picture a strong storm, a flood, or a fire. But one of the biggest threats to your home's stability is often overlooked, and it’s right under your feet: the soil. The ground around your foundation is constantly changing, and over time, its movements can put immense pressure on your home—a phenomenon we call "the big squeeze."

So, what exactly is happening down there? It's all about moisture. In the dry summer months, the soil around your home shrinks as it loses water. This can cause the ground to pull away from your foundation, creating small gaps. Then, when the fall and winter rains arrive, that same soil absorbs water and swells, expanding like a sponge. This cycle of shrinking and swelling—the "big squeeze"—exerts incredible force on your home’s concrete foundation. Over the years, this pressure can cause cracks, bowing walls, and an uneven foundation, leading to sticking doors and windows, and even cracks in your drywall upstairs.

Think of it like a bottle of water left in the freezer. When the water freezes, it expands with such force that it can crack the bottle. The same principle applies to the soil around your home. The expanding soil pushes against your foundation, and since the foundation isn't built to withstand that kind of pressure, it starts to shift and crack.

But there is a permanent solution to this problem. At Woods Basement Systems, we don't just patch the cracks; we address the root cause of the issue by stabilizing the foundation itself. We use Push Piers or Helical Piers, which are steel pipes driven deep into the ground until they hit a stable, weight-bearing stratum of soil or bedrock. Essentially, we bypass the problematic, expansive soil and transfer the weight of your home onto a more stable layer far below the surface. This lifts your foundation back to its proper position and prevents future sinking or shifting.

Don't let the "big squeeze" break your biggest investment. If you've noticed signs of foundation trouble—like cracks in your foundation, uneven floors, or sticking doors—it’s time to act. Contact Woods Basement Systems today for a free, no-obligation inspection, and let us help you find a permanent solution to protect your home.