One of Utah’s most recognized bodies of water save for The Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake, is the Jordan River. The river is a pretty significant part of Utah’s history, as both its direction and freshwater qualities helped the first that settled the surrounding areas thrive. The river flows North from Utah Lake and empties into The Great Salt Lake. In this journey the river takes through the valley, it intersects with multiple other bodies of water, and runs through multiple cities in the Northern parts of Utah. One of these cities, South Jordan, contains nearly 4 miles worth of fishing ponds, parks, and natural habitats. Despite this positioning, a very small percent of South Jordan is actually water at all. This amount of water that makes up the city is less than 1%!
South Jordan, Utah
You might be curious as to what this all has to do with your settling home, so let’s get to it. The Jordan River is part of how South Jordan got its name, but aside from that, the river itself doesn’t cause too many foundational problems for the population except for the few who live in a very close proximity. Even then, the damage those people see inflicted on their houses is mainly because heavy precipitation during the winter and spring cause the level of the water to rise, and it can travel underneath the ground and damage unprotected foundations. Unfortunately, much like it is the case throughout the rest of Utah, water still succeeds in being one of the biggest problems for homes to this day. Because of its low actual water coverage percent, almost every water based problem homes in the city face is because of rain and snow. Now, South Jordan is more of a flat region (it inclines towards the Oquirrh Mountains ever so slightly) in nature thanks the sediments that sat at the base of a now evaporated lake, and this means that water problems in the South Jordan area aren’t as bad as they could be, but they are still something to look out for. If you don’t know why water is such a big deal, and why we keep talking about it as opposed to other causes of foundation damage, we’ll give you a rundown.
Why Water Is Such a Big Deal
To start, water can sink through many materials very easily. This is probably the most important thing to remember. Water travels through soil with ease, even more so when it is at an angle. If your foundation is a shoddy material and isn’t waterproofed, water will get in. Here are just a few of the problems water can cause for your home:
- Flooding, which will eat away at the integrity of your foundation by soaking into the material.
- The foundations of homes tend to be dark and cold, which will help water to build mold, which can vary in toxicity.
- Water can change the consistency of the soil your home sits on, which can affect how well the foundation can support the weight of the house, and cause it to settle.
Water may primarily affect the foundation, but these problems can happen anywhere in your home. There really isn’t anything it is restricted to. Water can sink into wood flooring, destroy the quality of certain materials, stain carpet, warp doorways and windows, and cause countless other issues. Some portions of a building, however, are much more prone to water invasion, and the basement and/or crawlspace of a home is probably the most notable of these areas.
South Jordan’s flat characteristic may make it a bit more difficult for water to make its way into your home, but that also means it could be that much harder to drain out. Here are some things you can do if you live in South Jordan to avoid water problems:
- Maintain a good drainage system
- Try to avoid inclined areas from coming into contact with your home
- Be careful housing gardens, flower beds, or anything that needs to be watered near the foundation
There aren’t many small things that can be done to prevent water damage, but the biggest thing to do is make sure your foundation is waterproofed! If it isn’t already, then water damage is almost guaranteed. Having your basement waterproofed by a foundation repair business or company that knows what they are doing will help you avoid almost all of these problems with ease.
South Jordan does have its fair share of other causes of foundation damage, which can be brought upon your home in many other ways, but here are just a couple. Maybe one of these is what a home near you is currently experiencing:
- Inconsistent soil
- Sloped positioning
- Earthquakes or seismic activity
Rhino Foundations Solutions
If you live in South Jordan and need your basement waterproofed, or are in need of foundation repair, reach out to Rhino Foundation Systems. If you’re experiencing some other issue, here is a brief list of the services we offer in full, and we offer them throughout all of Utah:
Foundation Repair
- Basement Waterproofing
- Crawl Space Encapsulation
- Carbon Fiber
- Foundation Leveling
- Helical Piers
- Micropiles
Concrete Lifting
- Concrete Leveling
- Polyurethane Foam
- Concrete Replacement
For a more detailed look at each of these services, visit our service page here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get my foundation repaired if I live in South Jordan?
The price range for foundation repairs can vary, but in many cases, these repairs can be somewhat costly. If you act quickly and take measures to avoid the causes of foundation damage, you will find yourself saving a lot of money. Foundation repair costs in the worst case situations can reach prices higher than $15,000. If your home is only beginning to settle, then you might be able to save yourself a lot if you get foundation repair help quickly.
What is something that can damage my home in South Jordan I might not think of?
Look out for the soil your house sits on. South Jordan sits on such a small incline that it is practically a flat plains in nature. This is because of the soil composition from many years ago. It varies throughout the city, but one homeowner may find their soil to be loose and gritty, while another finds their soil damp and compact. Many instances of settling homes are due to the soil shifting in consistency as time goes by, which will cause the foundation to move around and often fail. If the ground around your home suddenly seems off, don’t be afraid to reach out and have it inspected.
How smoothly does the repair process go?
Different types of damages will require us to attack it from a different angle, so it will mostly depend on the situation at any given time. If water damage is the issue, we need to drain the flooded area, and waterproof the area after that if it isn’t already. For a more in depth explanation of what each of our services is used for, visit our services page here.
How noisy and intrusive are the repairs?
Most of the time, the repairs can be done with minimal noise, especially if they are simple. There are some larger scale instances from time to time where we will need to use larger and heavier equipment, but most things can get done quickly and quietly in 1-3 days.
How do I tell what type of foundation repair I will need?
The damage that your foundation can have come in a very large variety. There is flooding, cracked walls, leaning or bowing surfaces, settling, and many other things. The best way to pinpoint these issues is to do some extra research, but here are some things to look for. If the base of your home has cracks, but no water is present, it might be that the soil is not ideal for supporting your home, and it is beginning to settle, which is definitely something to get fixed up as soon as possible. If the basement of your home smells odd, feels humid and damp, then you might be having water issues, which can create mold and toxic living conditions. There are many things to look out for that point to other problems. If you feel overwhelmed or are just curious, reach out to Rhino foundation Systems, and we can come inspect your home and look for any potential problems.
