Drought is no joke, and the impacts on the United States have been far-reaching. Our beautiful state of Texas, in particular, is severely impacted, with as much as 13.8 million residents living in areas of drought. Many people know that when the quantity of rain is down, drought happens, which then affects plant life and livestock. In addition to these issues, though, is another widely overlooked drought-related problem: soil conditions. Soil conditions can impact both commercial and residential properties, leaving potential structural damage in their wake. Continue reading to learn how drought and soil conditions may be impacting your Texas property.
How Drought Impacts Soil Conditions
Dry, drought-impacted soils are more likely to contract as moisture leaves the ground. As soils dry out, they can shrink, harden, crack, and lose volume. In some cases, voids may develop below the surface as the soil pulls inward.
In Texas, soils are especially vulnerable because many areas contain high levels of clay. Clay expands when wet and shrinks when dry, making drought conditions particularly hard on the ground. Extended heat and limited rainfall can intensify this movement and create uneven soil conditions across a property.
How Drought-Affected Soil Conditions Impact Foundations
When soils dry out and contract, the impacts aren’t limited to simply dusty soil and dying plants. The buildings on top of that soil may be affected, too:
- Sinking: Contracted soil pulls away from building foundations. When this happens, the foundations can sink and settle.
- Cracking: When foundations settle, cracking may occur as a result.
- Floors: Settled foundations can lead to uneven floors. You may see lifting flooring, trip hazards, or sloping.
- Windows and Doors: Foundation settlement can result in misaligned doors and windows. You may notice that windows and doors have become hard to open and close properly.
Droughted Soils Caused My Foundation to Settle. What Now?
If you have noticed the signs of foundation damage at your Texas property, there are steps that can be taken to resolve the problem. At Precision Foundation Services, our team offers a full suite of foundation repair services for settled foundations. These include:
- Foundation Piers: Foundation piers are used to transfer the weight of a structure to deeper, more stable soils below the surface. There are multiple pier options, including steel piers, helical piers, drilled bell bottom piers, and concrete piers. This allows repairs to be tailored to site conditions and load requirements. These systems are designed to provide long-term stability by bypassing weaker, drought-affected soils.
- Polyurethane Injection: Polyurethane injection involves injecting expanding material beneath the surface of a foundation to fill voids, stabilize loose soils, and improve load-bearing capacity. The material expands quickly, helping to reestablish support and limit further movement. This method is minimally invasive and can often be completed with little disruption compared to more extensive repair options.
Drought conditions can have a significant impact on soil performance, especially in regions like Texas where clay soils are prevalent. As the ground shifts and loses stability, addressing these changes early can help prevent more serious issues over time. With solutions like foundation piers and polyurethane injection, property owners have reliable options to restore support and improve long-term soil performance.