How come I have never heard of shrink-swell soil?

Shrink-swell soils are present throughout the world and are known in every U.S. state. Every year they cause billions of dollars in damage. The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that 1/4 of all homes in the United States have some damage caused by shrink-swell soils.

Even though expansive soils cause enormous amounts of damage, most people have never heard of them. This is because their damage is done slowly and cannot be attributed to a specific event. The damage done by shrink-swell soils is then attributed to poor construction practices or a misconception that all buildings experience this type of damage as they age.

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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?