Georgia is famous for at least two things: first, its peaches and second, its red clay. 

Simply referred to as Georgia red clay, it is common in the Piedmont region and is actually classified as ultisol. Soils under this category are characterized by their rich red color. These soils are the type that could possibly stain your clothes. 

The clay’s reddish color comes from iron oxide, which is left behind by long-term weathering processes. Georgia’s red clay also contains silicon, aluminum and other elements. The soil mixture is called saprolite, which easily erodes when vegetation and trees are removed from it. 

In many ways, Georgia red clay is like any other regular clay in the manner that it clumps together or gets sticky when wet and hard as a rock when dry. Because of this, plants struggle to grow in it unless you condition the soil before planting. 

And, just like regular clay, it has an issue with water—not so much in holding it in the soil but in draining water out. Another major issue with red clay is its propensity to drain water slowly, making floods in Georgia possible as a result.

Georgia Red Clay’s Ability to Drain Water 

The state’s thick, red clay is good for building and other construction projects, as ultisols typically are. Because they are stress-tolerant, ultisols like good ole Georgia red clay can support foundations.

But, they’re not without problems. Georgia red clay has a high shrink-swell potential and is prone to soil liquefaction. Shrink-swell is the behavior of the soil when it absorbs and drains water out, i.e., expanding with water and contracting when it dries out. This constant expansion and contraction can adversely impact a structure’s foundation. Meanwhile, liquefaction refers to the soil’s liquid-like behavior when exposed to applied stress, such as from an earthquake. 

Because clay is composed of tiny particles that tend to settle together, air and water find it hard to pass through. Thus, once water is absorbed by the soil, it takes a long while before that water can drain out completely. 

Water-logged soil is unstable and could result in erosion, which can cause serious issues with the foundation of a house or building. It can lead to cracks, uneven settling of the foundation, and other structural problems. 

So, in the Peach State, Georgia red clay presents a unique complication: foundation problems. 

Signs of Foundation Issues Caused by Georgia Red Clay

Although soil type is not the only one to blame for foundation issues, it is a big contributor to the problem. Construction and landscaping errors might also impact the stability of a house or building’s foundation. Either way, you’ll be left with a major headache and possibly a huge dent in your pocket. 

To avoid this situation or prevent any issues from becoming bigger, look out for these signs of foundation problems due to Georgia red clay:

Cracks in walls, floors and ceilings 

If you have problems with your foundation, you’ll usually find cracks in the structure. You might often find them in basement walls and floors or radiating from window sills and door frames. Cracks might also appear in your house’s exterior. 

These can be tiny or huge, and deep or shallow. They can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, or have a stair-step pattern. No matter their shape or size, cracks—even if they are few and small—shouldn’t be ignored. 

Cracks in the floors, walls, and ceilings are typically the first warning signs that indicate a serious underlying problem in your foundation. It might suggest that your home’s foundation has shifted unevenly. In addition, cracks also become a gateway for water or moisture to seep through the structure and cause even more damages. 

Shifting foundation

The foundation of your house or building can shift when the soil under it begins to sink. When that happens, the weight of the structure pushes the soil down. 

Aside from producing cracks, a shifting foundation can also result in sticking doors or windows and leaning or bowing walls. When you find that the foundation of your house or building has shifted, think about taking action right away as it can pose danger to your family or customers.

Sticking doors and windows 

When there are issues with your foundation, you might have a hard time opening or closing doors and windows, i.e., they don’t open or shut properly. They might become wedged into their frames. 

This happens because the foundation has shifted or settled. The door frame or window frame becomes misaligned, resulting in difficulty of fully opening or closing doors and windows. 

Bowing walls

Remember shrink-swell, or the constant expansion and contraction of the soil? Well, this hydrostatic pressure can cause basement walls to move and bow inward. You’ll typically see this in the middle of your walls.

Bowing walls, along with cracks and water damage, are clear signs that you have a problem with your foundation. If you don’t act quickly, you risk adversely impacting the structural integrity of your house or building, which can lead to further damage. 

Uneven floors

If your house or building has a basement, crawl space, or slab foundation, you might notice that the floor has cracks and become uneven or bouncy or soft. Sloping floors may indicate damaged or improperly supported joists in your basement or crawl space. 

This is a serious problem that affects the structure’s security and stability. That’s why it’s essential to seek remediation immediately. 

Solutions to Georgia Red Clay Foundation Problems

Most foundation problems won’t be visible or evident. However, if you pay attention to the signs, you’ll be able to spot the symptoms and find a solution before the situation becomes worse. Common ways to address foundation issues caused by drainage issues of Georgia red clay include grading the soil and installing rain gardens.

Being aware of the signs is just the first step to preventing or correcting any foundation issues in your house, however. The next thing you should do is take action. Talk to a professional who can help you address these problems immediately.