Understanding Soil and Water Across the U.S.
One of the most important but often overlooked aspects of building a home is the ground beneath it.
Soil is the foundation your home rests on, and how it interacts with water plays a significant role in its stability. To understand the relationship between soil and water, it’s essential to examine the various types of soil, their water retention abilities, and where they are most commonly found across the U.S.
What is Soil?
Soil is made up of minerals, organic matter, air, and water, and each type of soil has a different composition of these elements. Knowing the composition of the ground your home is built on can help predict how it will interact with water. This can help you better understand the water-retention of soil, especially as it pertains to protecting your foundation.
Why Is Water Such an Important Component of Soils?
Water plays a crucial role in soil composition and behavior. It binds particles together, nourishes plants, and contributes to soil structure.
The water holding capacity of soil varies depending on the soil type.
For homeowners, understanding why water is such an important component of soils can make the difference between a dry basement and a flooded one.
Silt vs Clay vs Sand: How Different Soils Interact with Water
Clay Soil
Clay soil has the highest water-retention of soil types. Its tiny particles create a dense structure that absorbs water. This characteristic leads to swelling and shrinking depending on moisture levels. Homes built on clay soils may experience foundation settlement.
Silt Soil
If you’re comparing silt vs clay, silt has better drainage than clay but still retains a significant amount of water. Silt particles are finer than sand but coarser than clay, offering a moderate water holding capacity of soil. It can easily compact, which may cause foundation issues in wet conditions.
Sandy Soil
In the debate of silt vs sand, sandy soil retains the least amount of water due to its large, loose particles. This makes it well-draining, but it may not provide the stability needed for foundation support. Homes built on sandy soil are more likely to face erosion problems during heavy rains.
Where Are These Soil Types Found in the U.S.?
Clay Soil
This type of soil is common in the Southern U.S., including Texas and the Southeast. Homes in these areas often face foundation issues due to the water-retention of soil leading to expansion and contraction with changing moisture levels.
Silt Soil
Silt soils are found in regions like the Midwest and the Mississippi River Basin. Because it has a medium water holding capacity of soil, homes in these areas can experience foundation settling and cracks when the soil becomes saturated.
Sandy Soil
Sandy soils are prevalent along the coasts, especially in Florida and parts of California. While this soil drains water quickly, its inability to retain moisture can lead to erosion and instability for foundations.
This is just an overview of where these soil types are most prevalent, so it’s important to consult with an expert to determine your home’s exact foundation type and the specific soil it sits on.
Common Foundation Problems Caused by Each Soil Type
Clay Soil
Swelling and shrinking from excess water can lead to cracks in foundations, bowing walls, and uneven floors.
Silt Soil
Compaction from excess water can cause the foundation to sink and settle, leading to cracks and structural instability.
Sandy Soil
Erosion can wash away the base of your foundation, causing the home to shift and settle unevenly.
How Groundworks Can Help
No matter what type of soil your home is built on, Groundworks has the expertise to address foundation issues caused by soil and water interaction. With 70 offices in 36 states and two in Canada, we’ve encountered every kind of soil-related foundation problem.
Whether you’re dealing with the water-retention of soil or the challenges of silt vs clay or silt vs sand, we’ve seen it all and repaired it all.
Book a free inspection with Groundworks today to protect your home from soil-related foundation issues.
Soil and Water FAQ's
The main soil types include clay, silt, sand, and loam, with various combinations found in different regions.
Water retention refers to how well soil holds moisture. It’s important because different levels of retention affect how the soil expands, contracts, and supports foundations.
Yes, poor soil composition that leads to foundation problems can decrease a property’s value.
