filling gap between concrete slab and wall

#FILLING GAP BETWEEN CONCRETE SLAB AND WALL WINDOWS#

#FILLING GAP BETWEEN CONCRETE SLAB AND WALL WINDOWS#

I have seen many situations where newly applied topsoil washes through gaps in basement windows and small foundation cracks and ends up in the basement. The thinking might be that the composition of this material is similar to what is already there and will allow easy blending in with surrounding soil. There may be several knowledgeable people who would recommend this option. It may be simplest to suggest that regular, local topsoil be used to fill the void created from the dry clay soil. For this reason, I think you should fill the gap, but care should be taken to prevent overfilling. If enough water runs down the foundation walls, with no soil to absorb the excess, leakage through small gaps or cracks in the foundation or footing is likely. The gap itself is of little significance other than the higher probability of seepage into the foundation following heavy summer rains. In fact, if we continue to experience the dry spell we have been seeing lately, the soil could shrink away even more. You are correct that this gap may close up if we experience a large amount of wet weather this summer, but there is no guarantee. As you have seen, this soil can recede enough to pull away from your foundation and leave a substantial gap. In the Red River Valley, we are cursed with expansive clay soil that may shrink and swell dramatically depending on the moisture content. There may be no definitive answer, but I will try to help you by providing a couple of possible viewpoints and the explanations for my reasoning. You have asked a very interesting question, the answer to which will vary considerably depending on the viewpoint of the person you ask. My question is can I backfill that gap with soil this spring or would that cause too much pressure against my foundation wall? With the dry conditions last summer, I was hoping the soil would swell and close that gap this spring. The one side without a gap is where the sidewalk is. We live in an 83 year old, 2-story home in River Heights and before the snow flew this past winter, there was approximately a 4 inch gap/space between my foundation and the soil on three sides of my home.

Filling gap between concrete slab and wall