What Is Soil Erosion?

Soil erosion is described as the displacement of topsoil due to disruptive elements. Anything that displaces the soil particles or causes it to shift can cause soil erosion, including water, wind, ice, snow, animals, and humans. The reason soil erosion is so disruptive is because even the soil underneath your home and concrete can erode. Moisture can reach the soil under the concrete and cause expansion and shrinkage. During the winter, that moisture freezes, expands, and pushes the soil particles apart.

Your home and the concrete slabs that make up your patio, driveway, and walkways, are supported by a dense layer of soil. Over the years, thanks to the air pockets caused by soil erosion, that layer becomes loose and unstable. When your concrete doesn’t have a stable foundation, it settles. Both slab and foundation settling can be fixed, but the way they disrupt a homeowner’s day-to-day life cannot be ignored. Slab and foundation settling begin to affect other parts of the home, so it’s best to get those issues settled once you notice them.

Unfortunately, soil erosion cannot be avoided completely, especially in a rainy state like North Carolina. There are things homeowners can do to mitigate the damage done by soil erosion but, ultimately, it’s not completely avoidable. The best thing homeowners can do is improve the drainage systems in and around their home so that the soil stays as dry as possible. During the winter, you should be careful not to let snow fall on or near your slabs and foundation to avoid freeze-thaw damage. And, of course, there’s always something to be gained from having local experts inspect your home and tell you exactly what you need to protect it.