Foundation, crawl space and concrete leveling in Columbia, SC

Pelion is a deep soil that formed from old marine and river deposits of the Coastal Plain, usually found on Coastal Plain terraces. Its top layer is sand with a little silt and clay, and under that is yellow sandy clay. It drains a little slowly, so it can stay wet for short periods in a wet season. The USDA rates it low for swelling and shrinking, which means it changes size very little as it gets wet and dries out.

Troup is a deep soil that formed from old marine deposits of the Coastal Plain, usually found on ridges and hillsides. It is sandy for about the top four feet, and under that is yellowish red sandy clay loam. Loam is soil with a mix of sand, silt and clay. It drains quickly.

What It Means for Your Home

• What works in your favorPelion changes size very little as it wets and dries, so the ground under the footings stays steady from season to season.
• FoundationsWater that collects against a foundation can keep the clay there soft, and soft clay can let a footing settle. Look for gaps around windows and doors, and uneven floors. See foundation repair.
• Crawl spacesClay stays damp after long rains and adds moisture to the air under a house, which can lead to musty odors, mold and wood rot over time. Look for deteriorating insulation and higher energy bills. See crawl space repair and crawl space encapsulation.
• Floor framingDamp air under a house can rot and weaken joists and beams over time, which can show up as sagging or bouncy floors. Look for sagging floor joists and rotted floor joists. See framing repair.
• ConcreteSoftened clay where runoff collects can let part of a slab sink. Look for uneven slabs and a cracked driveway. See concrete leveling.