Saturated Soil can cause a multitude of problems with and around your property. In Atlanta, with above average rain fall, more often homeowners will have oversaturated soil around their house foundation. Soggy soil around the foundation can cause your home to settle faster than normal and will eventually cause cracks to your foundation. The best thing you can do for your home and foundation is treat your soil with a combination of drainage solutions from Venyscapes.

Three Red flags that your soil is too saturated.

Oversaturated soils are the leading cause of foundation problems. In particular Atlanta area has seen weather problems and flooding that cause foundation problems and failures. But, how do you know that your home and property is at risk?

Changes to your driveway or sidewalk

Look for cracks or changes in the levelness of your driveway or sidewalks. This is a sign that the soil beneath is expanding due to over saturation. Cracks can be a problem here, too, because they allow a new way for water to get beneath the concrete.

Gutters and downspouts around your home

When it rains it pours, literally. Watch the flow of your rain through your gutters and downspouts. You may notice that the soil around your home is extremely moist from the water coming down the downspouts but not being properly redirected. This will lead to many problems such as grading issues and foundation issues.

Cracks in other spaces around your home.

Cracks won’t only happen in sidewalks and driveways. They will happen on your interior drywall, floor tiles, and in the ceiling. These interior cracks can be a tell-tell sign of oversaturated soil around your home. Try and protect your home from any future cracks to your interior or exterior by finding a solution to your saturated soil.

Solutions to Saturated Soil

Do you have oversaturated soil? Thankfully there are solutions to help. Encapsulated crawlspaces keep the water away from your crawlspace, but it will not keep the water away from your foundation. Subsequently, it is important to incorporate one of the top rated drainage systems that will dry up your soil. A combination of French drains and Catch basins can help. These drainage systems will dry out the soil around your home.

Catch Basins help with oversaturated soil

Catch basins and French drains more often than not are used in combination to help with saturated soil. A catch basin is an essential part of Atlanta landscaping. It has a grate on top and a drainage pipe that slopes away from the basin.

French Drains help with wet soil

French drains are also an essential drainage solution in Atlanta. As one of the most common solutions, a French drain will help you dry out the soil around your home. By using a French drain to dry out soil you will not only eliminate soggy soil, but you will also protect your foundation from damaging cracks.