GEOTECHNICAL DISTRESS FACTORS
Foundation Systems Hawaii, Inc. is committed to superior service, innovative solutions, and utmost quality in our geostructural construction projects. We are Hawaii’s premier geotechnical contractors. If you have foundation problems, give us a call today!
Water
The soil that your foundation rests on can be exposed to water in many different ways. The physical characteristics of each soil determine the ability to withstand water. Water can erode the soil out from under your house causing it to settle. Water also affects the bearing capacity of the soil that the foundation rests on. Your first line of defense against foundation movement is proper drainage.
Soil Conditions
The most common and undesirable soil condition, here in Hawaii, is expansive clay soil. The expansive properties allow the soil to shrink and swell with the changing moisture content. This soil type has the ability to shift your structure, creating cracks in the concrete slabs, walls, etc… When a structure is supported by various soil conditions, the house may move differentially. The amount of movement can vary from one half to the other. If the foundation system is not properly designed, the differential movement may cause damage to the foundation and structure.
Slope Creep
Slope creep is the action of soil moving down a hillside. Slope creep can be caused by different reasons, such as weathering or poor preparation of fill soil. The soil movement is typically very slow, but overtime the results can be severe and damaging.
Other Factors
Improper fill and/or compaction, tree root decay, poor drainage, under slab plumbing, and inferior construction can all be factors that impact the health of your building’s foundation.
Recognizing Geotechnical Distress
In a building, geotechnical distress often manifests as cracks in concrete, damaged interior walls, cracks in brick and hollow tile, sticking windows and doors, roof leaks, separations at joints, sunken and uneven floors, cracked tile/flooring, walls that are buckled or bowed.
If you suspect that your building may be having foundation or geotechnical issues, contact us today! Our geotechnical solutions allow us to repair many issues and get your building back to the way it should be.
