How Michigan’s Clay Soils Affect Your Foundation and What You Can Do

Soil containing large amounts of clay, commonly found around Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, can significantly impact your home’s foundation. Clay shrinks during dry periods and can swell and expand during wet seasons, increasing pressure on concrete and creating a constant cycle of shifting soil. At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, we are dedicated to helping home and business owners maintain their foundations in excellent condition year-round. We can also assist you in addressing soil composition concerns that may be compromising the integrity of your foundation. Let’s take a closer look at soil composition concerns and some steps you can take to prevent damage to your basement.

Why Expansive Clay Soils Can Be a Threat to Your Basement

There are several types of clay found in soil, with montmorillonite clay being the type most likely to be encountered by Michigan homeowners. Montmorillonite clay is unfortunately one of the most expensive types of clay in the United States and is often the culprit for cracks, damage, and water intrusion into your basement. Montmorillonite clay:

1. Expands during wet seasons
2. Contracts during dry seasons
3. Traps moisture for long periods
4. Increases hydrostatic pressure around your foundation

Because of this constant cycle of shrinking and expanding, homeowners may notice signs of foundation damage. We’ll take a closer look at the most common types of foundation damage caused by clay soils, as well as other warning signs to watch for in your basement.

Common Types of Foundation Damage Caused by Clay Soils

Since clay is so common in Michigan soils, we frequently repair clay-related damage in our customers’ basements and foundations. Some of the most common types of damage we find include:

1. Cracks in foundations and basements
2. Bowing foundation walls
3. Water intrusion into basements
4. Uneven or sinking concrete slabs

At the first sign of damage in your basement or foundation, contact a professional for an inspection so minor damage can be rectified before it becomes more expensive and threatening.

Basement and Foundation Repair Methods That Address Soil Composition Concerns

At Tom’s Basement Waterproofing, we tailor the repair method to the specific soil composition surrounding your basement or foundation. This helps ensure the repair is as practical and durable as possible. Depending on the type of repair needed, our team may use:

1. Piering
2. Wall anchors
3. Interior and exterior drainage systems
4. Mudjacking
5. Polyurethane lifting

Our team will take into account your individual repair, the type of damage, and the soil composition, and use a repair method that provides your foundation with lasting strength to withstand challenging soil conditions.

Steps Home and Business Owners Can Take to Protect Their Basements

One of the most potent ways Michigan home and business owners can prevent clay from damaging their basements is by using thoughtful landscaping and drainage strategies. Proper surface grading around your foundation will direct water away from your foundation, preventing clay soil from swelling during wet seasons. Other ways to improve drainage around your foundation include:

1. Installing extended downspouts
2. Installing French drains
3. Planting certain plants, like switchgrass, around your foundation to stabilize the soil (Ensure chosen plants don’t have deep root systems)
4. Avoiding overwatering gardens or planting plants with deep root systems around your foundation

Finally, the most crucial step home and business owners can take to prevent damage to their basement and foundation is to contact a professional foundation repair provider at the first signs of damage for an inspection and affordable repair solution.

Get Help With Soil Concerns for Your Basement and Foundation in Michigan from Tom’s Basement Waterproofing