Foundation, crawl space and concrete leveling in Pinehurst, NC

Candor is a deep soil that formed from old sands laid down by wind and the sea, usually found on sandy uplands in the Sandhills. Its top layer is sand, and under that is yellowish brown sand with a little silt and clay. It drains quickly, and the USDA rates it low for swelling and shrinking, which means it changes size very little as it gets wet and dries out.

Ailey is a deep soil that formed from old marine and river deposits of the Coastal Plain, usually found on Coastal Plain terraces. A firm, dense layer lies a few feet down. It is sandy for about the top two feet, and under that is yellowish brown sandy clay loam. Loam is soil with a mix of sand, silt and clay. It drains well to quickly, and the USDA rates it low for swelling and shrinking, which means it changes size very little as it gets wet and dries out.

What It Means for Your Home

• What works in your favorCandor drains quickly, so the soil beside a foundation usually dries out after a storm. It also changes size very little as it wets and dries, so the ground under the footings stays steady from season to season.
• FoundationsWater moving through sand can carry soil out from under a footing or let it settle. Look for cracks in the floor and cracked bricks. See foundation repair.
• Crawl spacesRain soaks down through sandy ground, but humid summer air through open vents can still keep crawl space air damp, which can lead to musty odors and mold over time. Look for higher energy bills and moisture in the crawl space. 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 broken or cracked joists, and sagging floor joists. See framing repair.
• ConcreteWater can wash sand out from under a slab and leave a hollow, and the concrete over it can crack and sink. Look for a cracked driveway and uneven slabs. See concrete leveling.