Kansas Soil, Moisture and Your Foundation
How clay soils and moisture swings in northeast Kansas affect foundations, basements and concrete, and what homeowners can control.
Expansive clays
Many soils in northeast Kansas contain clays that swell when wet and shrink when dry. This seasonal movement can stress footings and walls.
What you can control
Keep gutters clean, extend downspouts several feet from the house, maintain grading that slopes away, and be thoughtful about large trees close to the foundation.
Sources
The USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey lets you look up soil types for your address, and the Kansas Geological Survey publishes regional soil and geology information.
FAQ
Should I water my foundation in drought?
Some homeowners do to limit shrinkage, but overwatering can cause problems too. Ask a professional about your situation.
About this page
- Written by:
- Topeka Foundation Repair editorial team
- Technical reviewer:
- Pending technical review
- Published:
- Last reviewed:
- Status:
- Awaiting technical review
Sources
- Web Soil Survey (Shawnee County, KS soil map units and shrink-swell ratings) — USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- Bulletin 208: Using Soils of Kansas for Waste Disposal (montmorillonite clay behavior) — Kansas Geological Survey
- Soil Survey of Shawnee County, Kansas (Bulletin 200, historic) — Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station
- Topeka Municipal Code 14.55.470 — Minimum footing depth — City of Topeka