Construction Defects – Soil Issues

Expansive Soils
Expansive soils are the second leading cause of property damage. Expansive soil swells when wet and then shrinks when dry. The pressure that expansive soil can exert can be very destructive. The pressure produced can reach as much as 15,000 pounds per square foot which is plenty strong to crack driveways, floors, and even foundations. Builders and developers should have previous knowledge as to whether or not their development is on expansive soil and with this knowledge can build accordingly. Unfortunately, some builders or developers will knowingly use construction methods that are cheaper and do not take into account potential damage that may be caused by expansive soil. These are the scenarios where homebuyers are most adversity affected.

Collapsing Soils
Collapsing soils have low moisture content whereby the particles contained are loosely-packed. These soils also contain clay that acts like glue, holding together soil grams. When the soil gets wet, this clay loosens and the particles of soil grams are then dispersed. Signs of collapsing soils can be cracks in the wall which are a common examples of construction defects. The soil would need to be analyzed properly to clearly understand if collapsing soil is indeed the issue. However, if collapsing soil is thought to be the cause of a construction defect, it is important to note that in many cases this damage could have been avoided with proper analysis of the soil before building.

Mudslides and Landslides
Mudslides and landslides can cause very serious damage to property as well as to any life it affects. A mudslide, also known as a mudflow, contains dirt and debris that is accumulated from heavy rainfall, snow melt, volcanic eruption or even a severe wildfire. The speed of the mudslide will depend on the steepness of the slope it is flowing down, the amount of precipitation and other factors such the vibration of the ground. The slide can reach a flow rate of 35 miles per hour while it picks up everything in its path. It will not slow down until it reaches a plateau.

Landslides, unlike mudslides, contain only a block of land. Landslides can also be caused by natural resources; however, they occur often from construction of roads.

Both mudslides and landslides can be quite dangerous and damaging to the property and lives they encounter, but also to future land development sites.

Flooding
Flooding occurs when an excessive amount of water has covered an area, usually land, which is normally dry. Flooding is usually caused by heavy rainfall that happens in a brief amount of time. Flooding can cause minor damage if caught in time and controlled. However, flooding can cause irreversible damage that takes time, resources, and money to fix. Flood damage can leave a property uninhabitable. Flooding is not only a natural disaster but can be caused by plumbing issues. A builder could have cut corners in the materials and/or products used or installed a faulty electrical system that effected the functionality of the plumbing system.

Soil Erosion
Erosion can impact the shaping of a land’s surface. Wind or water can start the process of erosion whereby material from the land is swept down a stream, a coastline, a hill, or a slope. Water has the biggest influence on erosion. Erosion can be a natural occurrence, but it can also be caused by human error. If builders and/or developers do not survey soil properly, they can single-handedly start the process of erosion. They can use construction techniques that instead of preventing erosion of the surface will actually increase the potential of erosion and therefore damage to any future housing.

Soil and geological hazards like expansive soils, collapsing soils, mudslides and landslides, flooding or erosion can cause severe damage to property. Do not wait to contact an attorney that will assist you in taking the proper steps to protect your rights. More Information @ https://bryanwoodslaw.com/construction-defects-2/