Homeowners around the Kansas City area have used PolyMagic for decades for their concrete lifting and leveling solutions. As the list of homeowner responsibilities continues to grow, it’s imperative to keep the concrete around your home (sidewalks, driveways, garage approach, patio, porch, pool area) even to reduce trip hazards. This article will address the many reasons to the question homeowners are constantly asking… Why is my concrete sinking? We wish this was a one-size-fits-all answer, but it’s not. That’s why concrete lifting and leveling experts like PolyMagic are equipped to find the source of the issue and provide an affordable solution.
How Can Kansas City Soil Cause Concrete to Sink
Kansas City and the surrounding metro area are known for their clay soil. As explained by Kansas State University, Clay is a soil component that goes from one extreme to the other. During periods of heavy rain, clay holds a large amount of water in its small pore space between particles. Saturated clay soils hold so much water the oxygen is excluded. We often say the plant drowned out from all the rain. But in reality the plant suffocated from lack of oxygen to the roots. So, during the dry weather, the soil shrinks and that can lead to cracks in the ground. The cracks will then cause the concrete on top of that area to sink. As the opposite happens weather-wise in the Kansas and Missouri areas, the flood-like rains we can get in Spring can provide the clay soil with expanding mechanisms to push the soil upward, causing uneven surfaces along the concrete. Some areas may be pushed up, which looks like other areas are sinking.
Top Reasons for Why Concrete Sinks
The top areas that homeowners notice the concrete sinking or settling is around the garage approach (area where the garage meets the driveway), driveways, porches, patios, sidewalks, and pool areas. You may not discover the sinking until it has become a trip hazard, as the process can be gradual. Let’s explore the top reasons that may answer the question… Why is my concrete sinking?
Reason #1: Weather.
The Kansas City/midwest weather continues to reference the “don’t like the weather now? Wait an hour…” theory. The summers are dry, sometimes drought-like, and very hot and humid. The fall and spring are typically wet, sometimes flood-like, and the winters are a freeze/thaw cycle. The weather can certainly wreak havoc on your home’s concrete, as the concrete contracts and expands with the weather patterns.
Reason #2: Water Intrusion.
Kansas City has clay soil, which is the perfect mix for the freeze/expand and heat/contract cycles to produce voids. The home’s downspouts are a common place to see the water intrusion take place. Companies like PolyMagic suggest downspout extenders, and even offer burying downspouts to further the water from the home. Water can also seep into the home (traditionally the basement) through cracks in the walls or foundation. The concrete cracks are again caused by the clay soil’s settlement due to the external factors. At the first signs of wall or foundation cracks, reach out for a free estimate on crack sealing, crack injections, or we can even suggest foundation repair or waterproofing solutions from our sister company, PierMagic Foundation Specialists.
Reason #3: Construction
Not all reasons for concrete sinking is caused by mother nature. There are many times when construction of the home, sidewalks, driveway, porches, patios, and basements isn’t done properly and the concrete settles, or sinks.
Reason #4: Soil.
Depending on what your home was built upon, you may be dealing with clay soil. This is especially true around the Kansas City metro area. As we’ve explained in the previous sections, clay soil isn’t the most conducive to the extreme temperatures, so homeowners must keep an eye on the deterioration. Another side of soil that shouldn’t be overlooked is poorly compacted soil. During the construction and building process, even before the concrete is poured, a crew is responsible for compacting the soil very well before the actual pouring begins. If not done properly, the weight of the concrete over time will lead to sinking, settling, cracks, and more.
We’ve identified four reasons that answer the questions… Why is my concrete sinking? As a homeowner, if you begin to see any of the issues explained, reach out today for a free estimate. We have a local team who knows and understands Kansas City clay soil. We are equipped to handle the most severe situations. We are also equipped to handle preventative care to ensure your home and concrete surrounding it stays safe, stable, and solid.