Disproving Arizona Foundation Myths: Understanding the Realities of House Stability

Disproving Arizona Foundation Myths: Understanding the Realities of House Stability

Foundation issues can be puzzling, often leading to misconceptions that misguide homeowners' understanding of their homes. From assumptions about a house's age to the impact of water and cracks on various structural elements, let's dissect some common myths surrounding foundation problems.

Myth 1: "My house is very old... I am sure it is done moving now."

Age doesn't determine stability. Soil movement beneath a house can happen at any time. Soil composition varies, with clays, sands, and silts interacting differently based on density and moisture. Water infiltration alters these layers, causing unexpected shifts over time, irrespective of a house's age or initial stability.

Myth 2: "Water is making my house sink. If I put gutters on it will quit sinking."

Contrary to popular belief, settlement often stems from clay shrinkage rather than sand or silt consolidation. Drying out the soil might exacerbate the issue instead of resolving it. Simplistic solutions might not account for the complexities of soil mechanics.

Myth 3: "Cracks in exterior walls always mean my house is sinking."

External wall cracks result from various factors, including thermal expansion and contraction, and issues with moisture barriers. Not all cracks indicate structural sinking; assessing drywall cracks on the opposite side of the wall provides a better indicator of potential footing movement.

Myth 4: "Vertical cracks in stem walls always mean my house is settling."

Vertical stem wall cracks can arise from oxidizing J Bolts or minor cyclic soil movements. However, they might not signify significant settling. A thorough survey, especially at floor level, helps differentiate between minor cracks and actual foundation movement.

Myth 5: "Cracks and slopes in floor slabs always mean settlement."

Contrary to common belief, 3-point cracks in floor slabs often indicate heave, not settlement. Expansive pressures from soil movement, particularly in arid environments, frequently cause slab heaving rather than downward settlement.

Myth 6: "High spots in the middle of the slab are from the cantilevering as the footings settle."

The notion that the middle slab rises due to perimeter settling is improbable. The structural design required for such an occurrence is far beyond standard construction practices.

Many individuals, including contractors and homeowners, rely on heuristic thinking without a deep understanding of soil mechanics. Proper diagnosis requires scientific methods and expertise in foundation repair. Only those experienced in installing piles and rectifying foundation issues through scientific diagnoses can accurately recommend and address these problems.