How Arkansas Soil Affects Your Home’s Foundation

When it comes to protecting your home, your foundation is everything. But did you know the very ground your home sits on could be one of its biggest threats? In Arkansas, our unique soil composition plays a major role in how well (or poorly) a foundation holds up over time.

Let’s break down what makes Arkansas soil so challenging — and how you can protect your home from costly damage.

The Science Beneath Your Feet

Much of Arkansas is built on clay-rich soil. While clay might seem harmless, it has a dramatic impact on your foundation because it expands when wet and shrinks when dry. This constant swelling and contracting puts stress on concrete slabs, crawl spaces, and pier foundations, leading to:

• Cracks in walls or floors

• Uneven or sloping floors

• Gaps around doors and windows

• Sinking or settling areas of the home

  
  

Weather Makes It Worse

Arkansas experiences hot, dry summers followed by heavy rains in spring and fall. This “feast or famine” cycle in soil moisture makes movement under your home even more extreme:

• Dry seasons cause soil shrinkage, creating voids beneath your foundation.

• Rainy seasons cause rapid expansion, putting upward pressure on the slab or piers.

  
  

Over time, this cycle repeats — slowly shifting your foundation out of level.

Other Local Factors

• Flooding & Poor Drainage – Standing water near the home increases soil expansion and erosion.

• Tree Roots – Large trees can pull moisture from the soil, causing uneven drying.

• Improper Grading – If the yard slopes toward the home, water collects at the foundation, speeding up damage.

  
  

How to Protect Your Foundation

1. Improve Drainage – Install gutters, downspout extensions, and French drains to move water away.

2. Schedule Regular Inspections – Catching early signs of movement is key to preventing major repairs.

3. Invest in Professional Solutions – Polyurethane injections, pier systems, and proper drainage installations can stabilize and protect your home.

   
   

Why Acting Early Matters

Foundation issues don’t fix themselves — they only get worse (and more expensive) over time. If you’ve noticed cracks, gaps, or uneven floors, it’s time to call in an expert. At GFS Foundation Repair, we understand Arkansas soil and know how to stop foundation damage at the source.

Get a Free Foundation Inspection Today

Protect your investment before small issues become big problems. Call GFS Foundation Repair at 501-539-5218 to schedule your free inspection.