How Do I Fix The Ground Sinking Near My Foundation?

When it comes to stabilizing the ground near a sinking foundation, you have a few different options available to you. In stabilizing the ground, however, note that you can combine protective measures to better hold your soil in place and redistribute the weight that may be causing trouble for your foundation. 

If you are especially concerned about the appearance of your home and landscaping, should the ground around your home start to sink, you can speak with a professional landscaper in addition to a contractor to see how best you might marry new landscaping with those tools you need to prevent additional damage to your home. 

Redirecting the Flow of Water Away From Your Home 

One of the simplest ways to keep moisture away from the perimeter of your home is to fiddle with your grading. Most yards have either a negative or a positive grade. Homes with a negative grade will direct water towards that house’s perimeter, whereas homes with a positive grade will direct moisture away from the house. You can work with area landscapers to re-grade a negative lawn and limit the amount of water that comes into contact with your foundation.

Gutters and downspouts also help you control the flow of water around your home. If you’ve had trouble keeping your gutters free of debris, you can install gutter guards around your property to limit blockages. You can also invest in underground downspouts if you’ve had trouble with your downspouts disconnecting before. Underground downspouts are also ideal for homeowners who hate to move their downspouts anytime they need to mow the lawn.

Foundation Underpinnings  

Of course, you also have the option of investing in more traditional home piers if mudjacking isn’t your style. Professional contractors can install a wide variety of piers beneath your home, first by excavating around your foundation. Some of the most common piers in use include: 

• Slab piers – Ideal for slab foundations, these piers root beneath your home and can force your slab back into place, allowing you to seal the crack or provide additional supports for the rest of your foundation. 
• Helical piers – Primarily used beneath lighter concrete structures. These piers are “screwed” into the ground to more stable soil like bedrock deep below your foundation for better support. 
• Push piers – One of the most common types of piers in use, push piers take the weight of your home off your foundation while also repositioning a foundation that’s started to sink. 

Once you have piers in place, contractors will have an easier time replacing any damaged structural supports that have given way in your foundation, basement, or crawl space. This repair method doesn’t so much stabilize the ground near your foundation as it helps you prevent your foundation and home from sinking alongside that soil.