Foundation, crawl space and concrete leveling in Asheville, NC

Tate is a deep soil that formed from soil and rock that moved down the slopes above, usually found at the foot of mountain slopes. Its top layer is loam, and under that is yellowish brown clay loam. Loam is soil with a mix of sand, silt and clay. It drains well.

Clifton is a deep soil that formed in place as darker rock rich in iron and magnesium beneath it weathered, usually found on ridges and hillsides. Its top layer is loam, and under that is red clay. It drains well.

What It Means for Your Home

• What works in your favorTate drains well, so the soil beside a foundation usually dries out after a storm.
• FoundationsOn a hillside lot, rain running down from the uphill side can soften the soil against a foundation, and soil on the downhill side can wash away or creep down the slope. Look for a settling foundation and cracks in drywall. See foundation repair.
• Crawl spacesOn a hillside lot, rain running down from the uphill side can seep into a crawl space and keep the air under a house damp. Look for deteriorating insulation and higher energy bills. See crawl space repair and crawl space encapsulation.
• Floor framingRunoff from the uphill side of a hillside lot can keep the ground under a house damp, and joists and beams that stay damp can rot and weaken. Look for broken or cracked joists, and sagging floor joists. See framing repair.
• ConcreteOn sloping ground, runoff can wash soil from under the downhill edge of a slab, and that edge can crack and sink. Look for uneven slabs and a cracked driveway. See concrete leveling.