Foundation Maintenance for Residential Projects in Texas
Typical Foundations & Soils: Introduction
Performance of residential structures depends not only on the proper design and construction, but also on a proper foundation maintenance program. Many residential foundations have experienced major foundation problems as a result of owner’s neglect or alterations to the initial design, drainage, or landscaping. This has resulted in considerable financial loss to the homeowners, builders, and designers in the form of repairs and litigation.
A properly designed and constructed foundation may still experience distress from vegetation and expansive soil which will undergo volume change when correct drainage is not established or incorrectly controlled water source becomes available.
The purpose of this document is to present recommendations for maintenance of properly designed and constructed residential projects in Texas.
Typical Foundations
Foundations for support of residential structures in Texas consist of pier and beam type foundation, spread footing foundation, conventionally reinforced slab, or a post tensioned slab. A soils exploration must be performed before a foundation system can be designed.
General Soil Conditions
Variable subsoil conditions exist in the State of Texas area. Highly expansive soils exist in parts of Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and other place in Texas. In general, the concentrations of expansive soils are along the east side of the state.
Sandy soils with potential for severe perched water table problems as a result of poor drainage are present in North and West Houston, including portions of Pine Point, Hedwig Village, The Woodlands, Kingwood, Atascocita, Cypresswood, Fairfield, etc.
A perched water table condition can occur in an area consisting of surficial silty sands or clayey sands underlain by impermeable clays. During the wet (rainy) season, water can pond on the clays (due to poor drainage) and create a perched water table condition. The sands become extremely soft, wet, and lose their load carrying capacity.
Foundation Maintenance:
