Erosion Under Concrete Slab

Improper water drainage can cause the issue.

Erosion under concrete slab.

Roofing and gutter experts make it a point to direct water away from your foundation and other concrete structures during utah s wet season the outpouring can easily wash away supportive soil from around your walkway driveway patio and foundation. This frequently leads to the formation of voids beneath concrete slab foundations. Concrete slabs can develop voids from a variety of reasons ranging from sliding soil beneath the slab displaced because of a lack of proper compression to water erosion slowly washing away the soil over time. To repair you ll need a form.

Recommendations for installing downspouts state that they should channel water 5 to 10 feet from the base of the building. Bury an aluminum flashing or redwood or other suitable material a couple of inches deep and about an inch from the concrete edge allowing it to extend above the bottom edge of the concrete approximately an inch. Soil wash out another common building practice is to run pipes for plumbing under a slab foundation before it is poured. Another issue that could cause erosion under concrete is a burst water pipe.

These two processes develop slowly and are worsened by the erosive behavior of poorly drained water. Voids can lead to a weakness in the slab causing dips in the surface tilting or cracks and breaks. Cement or concrete slabs for instance do not drain while a patio made of pavers may. Erosion of soil is a very common problem.

The accumulation of water leaking from the faulty pipes underneath building structures will trigger further soil erosion. Faulty plumbing can also contribute to the creation of voids. Whether it be ground water movement drainage rodents or sprinklers when soil is carried away settling concrete is sure to follow. First solve the erosion problem by directing roof runoff away from the foundation.

If household plumbing develops a leak it can cause soil under the foundation to wash out from under the slab leaving a void where the slab is no longer sitting directly on soil. Erosion causes depending on its construction a patio is either of limited porosity or not porous at all. Properly installed gutters and downspouts will effectively channel rainwater away from building foundations thereby minimizing erosion under concrete slab foundations. Filling hollows under a concrete floor is done through a process called slabjacking.

Shrub and tree roots excel in preventing erosion way better than grass roots. Potential effects of a void under a concrete slab. These cause voids under concrete slabs. Then underpin the footings with concrete compacted fill or special anchors.

If the pipe is beneath the concrete the structure will no longer have firm dry soil underneath it just mud.