You think you’ve got a foundation issue. You’re reading things and talking to people and you keep hearing the terms foundation movement and foundation settlement. You don’t want to sound like a dummy here, but are they the same or different??
At Anchor Foundation Repair, we know homeowners worry when they have foundation problems and might even worry about terminology. We can explain the difference between these terms to you. If we couldn’t, then I don’t think we could call ourselves foundation repair experts, could we?
In this article, we will define and explain the terms of foundation movement vs. foundation settlement and what they mean for your home and in conversation. Even though you didn’t ask, we will also throw in the term *foundation problem* because the distinction will become important to you if you indeed have a foundation that needs repair.
Explanation of Foundation Movement
Foundation movement is the most all-inclusive term that means your foundation is moving. It’s not specific as to what direction it’s moving, it’s just moving somehow. It could be heaving and moving in an upward direction. It could be slipping down a hill or sliding sideways. It could be settling in a downward direction.
Heck, it could even be due to earthquake events. Foundation movement is non-specific and can be in any direction for any reason.
Sometimes though, foundation movement is used as a synonymous term with foundation settlement for variety. This is why it gets confusing . . .
Explanation of Foundation Settlement
Foundation settlement is foundation movement in a particular direction, and that direction is DOWN. Settlement is a nice way to say that your foundation is *sinking* and has moved downward into the ground from its original position.
A foundation can sink aka settle for a few reasons. In the foundation repair industry, settlement is most commonly due to the drying and contraction of expansive clay soils.
There are at least 7 different types of foundation settlement terms that I have come across so far: initial, seasonal, uniform, differential, tipping, acceptable, and unacceptable (there’s probably more too). These terms are explained in another article defining foundation settlement in a little more detail.
But in a nutshell, foundation settlement specifically refers to the downward sinking of a home’s foundation in whole or in part. The foundation settlement term is a subset of the broader *foundation movement* term.
Using Foundation Movement vs. Settlement In Conversation
Sometimes in conversation or reading on the *riveting topic* of foundation settlement, it gets repetitive to say foundation settlement all the time. So every once in a while, you might hear or see foundation settlement and foundation movement used interchangeably, simply to avoid saying the same thing all the time.
Just remember that foundation movement can be in any direction, and settlement is technically only down/sinking. But be forgiving and help us stay awake on this subject. Allow us just a little interest in an otherwise boring topic by using different words occasionally, m’kay???
Determining If You Have a Foundation Problem
Now that we’ve cleared up this little word interchange, what you really need to know is if your foundation movement or foundation settlement is a foundation problem. To add insult to injury and yet another layer of confusion, not all foundation movement and/or settlement are considered problematic. Oy!
Homeowners stress over possible foundation problems. Many companies try to freak you out with dire warnings about *settlement* and *movement* without helping you understand what is and is not an actual problem. It’s hard to know who is shootin’ straight with you and who just wants you to take your money.
At Anchor Foundation Repair, we’ve refined our methods for assessing foundation problems since 1985. Determining if your foundation movement in whatever direction is a foundation issue is somewhat nuanced and tied to performance. Is your home performing as it should?
You know what, you need another article (or two) to tackle this new topic. Let’s see if we can get you pointed in the right *direction* with one of these articles:
Do I Need Foundation Repair or Not? Settlement vs. Problems
How To Know If Your Home Has Foundation Problems
Foundation Settlement Confirmed: When Is the Right Time for Repairs?
