Oklahoma’s famous for its red soil. The rust-tinged ground is a hallmark of certain parts of the state. When it comes to your foundation, however, the composition of the soil is far more important than the color.

The state is home to a variety of different types of soil. The type below your home could impact whether or not you end up having foundation problems.

Clay Soils

While Oklahoma is by no means the leading state when it comes to active clay soils, it still has its fair share, including in the central part of the state.

While there are some benefits to clay soils, they have one characteristic that can be a nightmare for foundations. They can have extreme shrink-swell cycles.

During the swell cycles, heaving could take place as the moisture content increases and the soil expands.

During shrink cycles, settlement could begin to occur.

Regardless, if the change in pressure being applied to your foundation is significant, it is likely to eventually cause problems.

Sandy Soils

While sandy soils cause fewer ongoing issues than clay soils, the can among the more difficult soils to compact and therefore homes built on them can be more prone to foundation settlement problems.

On the plus side, however, heaving should not be an issue.

Caliche

Caliche is a hard, cement-like layer of soil formed by calcium carbonate that is common in some parts of Oklahoma.

Although it doesn’t have similar problems to clay or sandy soils, it does pose problems during excavation and building since the layer is more difficult to penetrate than most soils.

It also inhibits proper water drainage, which can cause issues with flooding.

Loess Soil

This fine, often wind deposited silt is very prone to erosion and can be a contributing factor in structural issues such as differential settlement if proper techniques aren’t used to stabilize the building, the soil or both.

Soil Wreaking Havoc on Your Oklahoma Foundation?

If your home’s foundation is having issues contact us at Pierman today. Our foundation specialists can give you a free consultation, going what is causing the foundation problems and what the options are to fix them.