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The Best Types of Soil for Building Foundations
Know your soils to keep your home stable
Photo: Iriana Shiyan/ Adobe Stock
Photo: Iriana Shiyan/ Adobe Stock
Have Questions? Get a Pro's Advice
Hire a foundation contractor to identify the best soil for building a foundation based on your needs.
Clay soil is ideal for drilled pier and slab-on-grade foundations.
Rock soil makes the most sense for strip, pad, and raft foundations.
Peat soil is the way to go if you have a concrete pile or raft foundation.
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That home you cherish sits on soil, but not all soil is the same. Some soils are strong enough to support a skyscraper, while others can't even support a person’s weight.
Here are a few of the most common soil types and how they affect a home’s foundation.
1. Clay Soil
Clay is an expansive soil. When exposed to moisture, clay can greatly expand, but it will shrink significantly when it’s dry. A drought impacts a home’s foundation significantly if the house sits on clay.
These extreme changes can cause a foundation to shift and eventually crack, making clay a less appealing foundation soil.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Drought-resistant | Difficult to work with when wet |
| Holds water well | Can shrink and expand |
Best For: Drilled pier and slab-on-grade foundations
2. Sand and Gravel Soil
Sand containing gravel has large particles that drain easily. When mixed with gravel and other materials, sand does not retain water. This means there is less risk for the building to shift around. Compacted sand and gravel offer even more stability and are a great option to build a foundation.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stable | Absorbs heat quickly |
| Durable | Prone to sinking |
Best For: Helical piers
3. Rock Soil
There are many rock types, such as bedrock, sandstone, and limestone.
Rock soil makes for an excellent foundation thanks to its stability, its high bearing capacity, and its resistance to water damage. It’s ideal for supporting residential or commercial buildings.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very stable | Can be tricky to level |
| Strong |
Best For: Strip, pad, and raft foundations
4. Loam Soil
Loam contains sand, silt, and some clay. Loam has a dark color, soft, dry, and crumbly to the touch.
Loam generally doesn't shift, expand, or shrink. It drastically handles the presence of water very well. It incorporates the best qualities, making it ideal for supporting a foundation.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stable | Presence of undecomposed materials |
| Handles moisture well |
Best For: Isolated pad footings
5. Peat Soil
Peat is usually dark brown or black, often found in bogs and wetlands. It consists of decaying or organic matter.
Peat may be the worst soil to build a structure on. It is highly compressible and can absorb a lot of water, but it also dries out easily, causing it to shift and move, risking the stability of the foundation.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to replace | Doesn’t hold moisture well |
| Prone to shifting |
Best For: Concrete piles and raft foundations
6. Silt Soil
Silt is poor soil for building a foundation due to its poor ability to drain water. This causes silt to shift and expand, which does not provide the building any support and puts it under repeated, long-term stress, causing structural damage or failure.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to replace | Doesn’t drain well |
| Poor support |
Best For: Concrete piers
Why Considering Soil Type Before Construction Is Important
Photo: Lev / adobe stock
The strength and stability of the soil depend on its physical properties. It's important to obtain a soil report, which will help better calculate the soil's bearing capacity. Determining the soil type before starting a project can make the job more efficient.
Failing to pick the best foundation type for the soil can cause immediate or future foundation issues. Even if your house was built using the wrong foundation, it's never too late for a foundation repair. Contact a local foundation contractor to assess the situation and suggest a solution that will protect your house and save you future costly repairs.
Pro Tip
"The type of soil your home sits on is crucial for foundation stability. Clay soils expand and contract with moisture changes, which can lead to foundation movement. Sandy or well-drained soils are generally more stable. If the soil isn’t ideal, you might need to take extra measures like soil stabilization or proper drainage systems to prevent shifting and settling."
— Tim O'Shea, The Build Pros
Foundation repairs reviews from real Angi homeowners in Atlanta, GA
4.6★ avg. • 142 total reviews
- Stacia K.
I needed some light fixtures fixed and some other handyman work around the clinical office and at home. I called for services to be done and this company was reliable and prompt for the services. I did not need to supply any materials or equipment to get the work done. I would recommend this...
Beckman Remodeling and Handyman - Nancy T.
Jasper Colman was excellent and quick!
All My Sons Moving & Storage - Keith G.
We had leaks around the three dormers at the front of the house, and are very pleased with our experience with Gerry and his team. We requested and received a quote very promptly. Gerry is very friendly and professional and pleasant to work with. The work was done promptly and we are very...
All Season Roof Repair, LLC - Janet B.
I was very satisfied with the work that was done hammering out the concrete around the basement walls. They covered this back up neatly. And when I had a leakage issue, a few years later, they came out and inspected. It was a cracked foundation wall which they patched up and repaired, and I...
- Zebulon M.
I had received three quotes from other individuals when looking to have the work done at my home. I really was keen on the amount of knowledge they had both had when it came to figuring out what exactly that needed to be done. They also walked my property and looked at the entire job and took...
Atlanta Landscape and Pools - Jason B.
This was my first usage of Angi for anything, and I am very pleased with the results. Gustavo called me quickly after I submitted the Angi request, and he was able to come the next day (I know that won't always be the case for everyone). In 2 hours he replaced my old dead control box with a...
The Irrigation Master - Leha S.
They came in after having our foundation repaired in the basement. They repaired the drywall, trim, painted the walls, put flooring down and replaced two doors. Everything looked great, We love the work and they are very dependable.
JGW Renovations - Holly H.
Did good work at a reasonable price
KG Appliance - Jenny P.
We hired them to fix our crawlspace foundation repair and install the beam for support. Both Daniel C. and Joseph F. were on time and finished the work faster then we expected. They were courteous and communicated well during and after the project. Over all the whole team including the sales...
- Todd S.
CGS waterproofing was great. They installed a french drain and downspout extenders. The team that did the work was extremely helpful and explained everything they were doing and showed how all the drains worked. I highly recommend CGS.
CGS Waterproofing and Foundations
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