Soil erosion happens when the topsoil is worn out by the elements, resulting in exposure of the underlying layers. It is prevalent in deforested areas, resulting in loose topsoil that results in landslides. While it’s not as severe in residential settings, its impact is nevertheless significant. In this blog, foundation repair contractor Rapid Dri discusses the effects of soil erosion on a house foundation.
The Impact of Soil Erosion
The topsoil protects the layers underneath from losing moisture to evaporation. These layers need to be at a certain moisture level where the soil expansion and contraction rate is at minimum. Otherwise, the soil will be exerting a tremendous amount of pressure on the house foundation. Left unattended, damage to the foundation could result in sagging rooflines, buckling walles and even a complete building collapse.
Preventing Soil Erosion
If soil erosion is threatening your home, it is best to work with a house foundation and basement waterproofing systems specialist. Complete solutions vary depending on the type of property, but one or more of the following are typically used.
-
Strategic Landscaping — Strategic landscaping involves planting bushes, trees and grass in specific areas around your home. The roofs reduce the risk of soil erosion, while the plants themselves add aesthetic value. Rocks, mulch and gravel can also be used in areas where such plants are unsuitable. You need a house foundation specialist to determine how far the trees should be from the house foundation, otherwise the tree roots could cause damage.
-
Retaining Walls — A retaining wall is a protective barrier installed on sloped yards. It’s installed at the bottom of a slope and prevents soil from cascading. If properly built, retaining walls can counteract gravity and hold the entire slope in place.
-
Stepped Terraces — The sloped yard is divided into flat intervals separated by small retaining walls, creating stepped terraces. A large-scale application of stepped terraces can be seen on mountainside rice fields.
Rapid Dri is your leading provider of house foundation and crawl space services. Give us a call at (734) 272-4495 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Ypsilanti, MI, and surrounding areas.
