When the Ground Pushes Back: Slab Foundation Heave and Expansive Soils in Columbus

“Hang on, Sloopy,” your foundation could be moving. If strange cracks are showing up in your floors or walls, or you can’t open windows with ease, foundation heaving might be to blame. That’s when the ground beneath your home pushes upward, causing just as many problems as sinking soil.

In Columbus, unpredictable weather and heavy clay soil team up to make foundation issues more common than you’d think. The upside is that these problems can be fixed with reliable foundation repair in Columbus, especially if you catch them early. Understanding what’s going on under your home is the first step toward keeping everything above it steady and secure.

Basements and crawl spaces are still common, but many homes in Columbus, especially newer ones, are built on slab foundations. Often referred to as slab-on-grade, these are concrete bases poured right onto the prepared ground, offering a solid, cost-effective foundation with decent insulation.

That said, our local soil can create some unique challenges for slab homes. Concrete slab foundations lack the additional storage offered by basements, are prone to cracking and settling, and can pose challenges when addressing plumbing problems.

• Tiny hairline cracks in concrete (less than ¼ inch wide)
• Doors that stick occasionally during high humidity
• Small, stable cracks in drywall that don’t change
• Slight floor unevenness in older homes
• Light seasonal moisture near the foundation

• Floors that bulge or rise in the center of rooms
• Cracks in the foundation wider than ¼ inch
• Doors and windows that are always hard to open or close
• Wall cracks or floor cracks that keep getting worse
• Water pooling around your foundation after it rains
• Gaps forming between walls and floors or ceilings

Soil Makeup

Columbus has a blend of soil types—loam, silt, and a hefty amount of clay. That clay is the real troublemaker. It expands when wet and contracts as it dries, constantly pushing and pulling on your foundation. This back-and-forth movement can eventually crack or shift even solid concrete slabs.

Heavy Rainfall

We get plenty of rain in Columbus, especially in spring through fall. While that’s great for your lawn, it can be tough on your foundation, especially if your home doesn’t have proper drainage. Water pooling around the base of your home can seep into the soil, increase pressure on your foundation, and lead to cracks or moisture intrusion.

Tree Roots

Big trees near your home might be beautiful, but during dry stretches, their roots can draw moisture out of the soil fast. That can cause the ground under your home to shrink and leave empty spaces, resulting in an uneven or unstable foundation.

• Keep your gutters and downspouts clear so water flows away properly
• Ensure a positive yard grade to direct water away from the foundation
• Monitor wall and floor cracks for any changes
• Use a level to check for sloping or uneven floors
• Seal small cracks before they have a chance to spread
• Check that doors and windows open and close without sticking
• Manage indoor humidity levels to prevent moisture-related problems

If your foundation is shifting, lifting, or heaving, foundation piers can provide the long-term support it needs. These systems permanently stabilize the structure and can also lift portions of the foundation back toward their original position.

Even better: slab piers are designed specifically for concrete slab foundations. They are installed through small access points in the concrete and extend deep into solid soil layers below. This method reinforces your foundation at its base, all without the need for full slab replacement. It’s a low-disruption, high-impact fix.

Depending on your home’s layout and the extent of the damage, we might also use push piers or helical piers as part of the overall repair strategy.

Issues with your home, including foundation heaving, can be stressful. We get it. We’re homeowners, too. However, ignoring these problems only makes them worse and more expensive. Tackling symptoms of damage early is the best way to protect your home and avoid future headaches.

That’s where we can help. Our team at Ohio Basement Authority lives and works throughout Columbus, so we understand the unique challenges that come with our area’s weather and expansive soil. We offer personalized, lasting solutions for foundation repair in Columbus that are designed for homes just like yours. Ready to get started? Contact us today to schedule a free inspection and estimate.