The Clay Bowl Effect and Hydrostatic Pressure

A very large hole had to be dug in the ground to accommodate your home’s foundation and its construction. Once the foundation floor and walls were built, a gap remained between the walls and the rest of the earth. The soil that was dug out was then replaced or “backfilled” to fill that gap.

This backfilled soil is loose, fluffy, and not as dense compared to undisturbed soil on the property. This allows water to collect in the soil immediately surrounding the house and create a “clay bowl,” as well as put pressure on the walls. 

This constant force exerted on the walls by saturated soil is known as hydrostatic pressure. When this force becomes too much for the walls to handle, they will begin to crack and bow inward. Water can easily find its way in through any cracks and openings, and your home’s structural stability also is at risk.