Clay is an expansive soil  and is extremely common in the Kansas City area. Clay dirt is a prime example of the expansive soil seen when dealing with new home construction in our area.  Clay dirt swells when the minerals in the clay absorb water from rain, underground springs or watering of a lawn. U.S. Geological Survey states that a 10 inch-thick clay mineral can expand to 19.5 inches in water.  

What does this mean to your home? 
    
    This expansive soil will grow when it’s wet and put a tremendous amount of pressure against your foundation.  Expanding soil can cause the upheaval of foundation walls, basement floors, driveways and patios. When this happens the results can vary from small stress cracks to complete shifting of the basement walls and floors. How do you know if the crack is worth having someone look at it? A general rule I’ve often heard is that if you can fit the top of an ink pen into the crack in the concrete then it’s a good idea to have a professional look at the problem.