In Quebec, it is common to find clay soils, especially in the Saint Lawrence Valley, the Ottawa Valley or the Saguenay region. Suffice to say that the presence of this type of soil can make a home’s construction particularly difficult. As such, precautions must be taken to avoid heavy damage to structures and foundations.
Discover everything you need to know about clay soil in Quebec and its effects on foundations, the precautions you can take to limit the risks and solutions in the case of damage.
Clay soils and foundation movement in Quebec
Clay soils are characteristically compressible, which is to say that they settle down according to the load applied. This type of soil’s water content is also much higher than any other type of soil. It is therefore highly subject to climatic variations, such as drought or heavy rains.
As a result, foundations can experience frequent movement. The swelling or retraction of the soil can eventually weaken the foundation. Most often, we will notice more or less prominent cracks appear in the foundation, shears on the outer coating and deformations in the structural elements, such as beams. In the most serious cases, that is to say, in the case where the foundation is not adequate, the entire structure could be weakened.
What precautions should be taken before building your home’s foundations?
In order to avoid damage that could lead to completely destroying your home, certain precautions can be taken.
Above all, it is strongly recommended not to build a house near dense vegetation that requires a large amount of water. Moreover, it is important to have the nature of your building plot checked using a geological map, which will show you where clay soils are located.
Finally, Foundation Crack Expert recommends having your soil checked by an expert, such as a geotechnician, so that he can evaluate your soil’s resistance and how you can build your foundations to limit risks.
What solutions exist for damaged foundations on clay soils?
Sometimes precautions aren’t enough and you can already see signs of your home subsiding. In this case, corrective work should be undertaken as soon as possible.
You will have to repair the cracks on your walls and shears in the brick siding. Don’t forget to replace the stone lintels and all the damaged structural elements, such as windows and beams.
If you face foundation damages, your best bet is to call on professionals in this area. Don’t hesitate to contact Foundation Crack Expert team if you want to deal with real professionals that have experience in foundation crack repair.
