What Causes Severe Hydrostatic Pressure?

Hydrostatic pressure is one of the most common causes of damage and dampness in properties across Charlottesville, VA. This may seem strange, of course, when you consider the fact that hydrostatic pressure is a natural process that impacts every home on a consistent basis. After all, it is simply the weight of the soil and the water that it contains. This lateral pressure can cause a number of issues when it is left to grow unchecked, but the actual causes of increased hydrostatic pressure can vary.

Broadly speaking, there are two main causes: an increase in water or a lack of drainage capabilities. A sudden increase in the water content of the soil can be caused by heavier rainfall that the area usually experiences, localized flooding, storms, and heavy periods of snow thaw that lead to runoff. Inadequate drainage capabilities, however, occur when a property has too few drains, or when blockages and clogs leave it unable to process the same amount of water as usual.

Whichever of these causes is to blame (and it is usually a mix of the two), an excess of hydrostatic pressure is incredibly damaging for any home. As well as causing issues like seepage and increasing humidity, excessively high hydrostatic pressure can cause bowing and buckling walls. In fact, it can even lead to localized collapses in a property, which is both damaging to your home and potentially dangerous to your health and wellbeing.