How to Tell If Your Property Needs Soil Stabilization
Soil stabilization refers to a number of processes that are performed on a property in order to make the soil stronger; this might be done by adding lime or clay or by pumping concrete or another material under the topsoil to firm up a home's foundation or better support a driveway. Soil stabilization is usually done to keep a home or other structure from shifting and even sinking, or it might be performed to help avoid soil erosion, runoff, small landslides, and the like. Note a few signs that your property might need soil stabilization of some sort and then discuss this option with a contractor so you know your property is always safe.
Leaning trees or fence posts
A tree might lean if it's suffered damage to one side or has root rot or another condition, but if the tree is healthy yet still leans, this often means the soil is very soft on one side of the tree and cannot hold it level. If you know fence posts were installed on a slight hill, they might lean as they slide over time, but typically fence posts should always stay level and even. When they start to lean or sag, this often means the soil is not holding the weight of the post or the fence itself and may need stabilizing.
Broken driveways and other concrete surfaces
Concrete will crack over time and this is normal, but when a driveway, walkway, or patio breaks so that one part of it is actually jutting up, this usually means the soil under the other part is soft and not supporting it any longer. In some cases you can pump up the soil under the driveway alone to make it firm, but this might be a sign that there is too much moisture in your property's soil altogether. This moisture may be putting pressure on your home's foundation or allowing water to collect around the foundation as well, so it should be tested for needed stabilization.
Sinkholes and soft soil
Getting overly moist soil or a sinkhole over a septic tank may indicate that the tank is leaking, but if your property has even small sinkholes or obvious wet spots in other areas, this can mean there is far too much moisture underneath that topsoil. Note that sinkholes can simply get bigger and more dangerous over time, so having the soil stabilized before they become a problem and damage your home or an outbuilding is almost always recommended.
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