Why Do These Soils Expand?

Soils are composed of a variety of materials, most of which do not expand in the presence of moisture. However, many clay minerals are expansive. When a soil contains a large amount of expansive minerals, it has the potential of significant expansion. When the soil contains very little expansive minerals, it has little expansive potential.

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1. Do shrink-swell soils go by other terms?
2. Why Do These Soils Expand?
3. I want to build a house in an area with Shrink Swell. Should I reconsider?
4. Can someone from your agency come look at my property?
5. What is an engineered soil report?
6. When is an engineered soil report required?
7. How come I have never heard of shrink-swell soil?
8. My house is already built. Is there any way to minimize the effects of shrink swell soils without having to support my foundation?
9. Where did the Goochland County map information come from?
10. Why did Goochland County update their shrink swell soil policy in 2019?
11. My foundation is settling. What can I do?
12. What enabling legislation/authority allows Goochland County to require a shrink swell soil report?