Settling or Heaving? The Mystery of Foundation Issues in Arizona Homes

Foundation Repair in Arizona: More Than Meets the Eye

When a homeowner seeks a "free estimate" from a foundation repair company, there's a dirty little secret lurking in the shadows. It's not widely known that, often, the diagnosis provided by these contractors can lead to more harm than good. This issue is pervasive across the nation, leaving homeowners at the mercy of professionals who may misinterpret the problem and prescribe repairs that exacerbate the situation.

Myth Busted: The Professionalism of Arizona Foundation Repair Contractors

The assumption that most foundation repair contractors are professionals is a myth that needs debunking. Homeowners, lacking expertise in foundation matters, rely on these contractors to assess and recommend the right solutions. But how can they be sure that the prescribed repairs are indeed the correct course of action?

The key lies in understanding the composition of soils, the very foundation supporting your home. Two fundamental soil types, clays and silt/sand, play a crucial role in the stability of your foundation. While silt and sand behave predictably when wetted, expansive clays present a more complex challenge—they swell, shrink, and collapse under varying moisture conditions.

The Deceptive Similarity: Settling vs. Heaving

The problem is compounded by the fact that the damage signs in a house, whether settling or heaving, often look remarkably similar. This confusion is the breeding ground for misdiagnoses, leading to ineffective and sometimes damaging repairs.

Consider the typical scenario of settling, where footings on one side are lower, causing stress to the structure above. This is a situation well-understood by foundation contractors, and solutions like underpinning are commonly employed to rectify the issue.

Now, shift your focus to the opposite scenario—heaving from expansive clay soils. Surprisingly, the symptoms closely resemble settling. The footings remain in their original position, and the structure is not under significant stress. However, underpinning in this case is not only ineffective but can introduce additional damage and stress to the home.

The Challenge: Distinguishing Between Settling and Heaving in AZ

Distinguishing between settling and heaving is not as straightforward as it seems. Even seasoned professionals can struggle due to the striking similarities in symptoms. The motivation for a foundation contractor to correctly identify heaving is also skewed; acknowledging heaving means admitting they have no solution to offer.

In some cases, faced with the need to provide a remedy, a foundation contractor might rationalize a misdiagnosis, leading to inappropriate solutions such as elevating footings through pier installation.

In the complex world of foundation repair, a scientifically rooted plan is essential. Homeowners need to be vigilant, ensuring that contractors carefully analyze the situation to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful repairs. Understanding the soil beneath your home is the first step in unraveling the mysteries of foundation issues.