Fairfax Contractors

Problem Soils In Northern Virginia

map of problem soils Northern Virginia

Problem soils in Northern Virginia are often found in areas east of 95 and 395. Problem soils can occur in other areas of Northern Virginia. When trying to pull a building permit in Fairfax County, Arlington County, Loudoun Country, or Prince William County, Virginia, you may be held up in the site process. We can find a situation where you need a licensed soil and structural engineer. Problem soil problems can be solved and will be required to conform to the codes to pull a building permit. Problem soils in Northern Virginia study are required in compliance with article 107 of the county code and the Virginia Uniform state-wide building code.   Most often, we require a soil and structure engineer to pull permits for foundation problems, deflecting basement block walls, and any type of new construction. There are around 108 different soil types in Northern Virginia. Expansive soils will also shrink when they dry out. This shrinkage of Marine clay can remove support from your home or commercial building and other structures. Problem soils may result in failing foundations. Your problem soils in Northern Virginia can be divided into three major regions based on geology. The soils in Fairfax County can be divided into three major regions based on geology.

 

Submission Requirements For Problematic Soils To Pull A Building Permit In Northern Virginia

Submission Requirements for Problematic Soils are broken down into four categories. These problem soil reports are required in all counties of Northern Virginia. These include types I, II, III, and IV. Subcategories for problem soils include I&II and I&III, and II&III. In a problematic class I soil condition, we will need to obtain a geotechnical report and provide geotechnical plans on our building report. In class II in problem soils Northern Virginia, we only need geotechnical plans on our building plans. III problem soil reports simply require a geotechnical waver.

 

Types Of Problematic Soils in Northern Virginia

The types of Problematic Soil in Northern Virginia include Marine clay, a type of soil found in Northern Virginia that contains clay that swells in wet conditions and shrinks upon periods of drought.  This Marine Clay is called Bentonite and can cause damage to basement and foundation footer failure. You and Fairfax Contractor may find that your home was built on problematic soils that can greatly affect the stability of the structure of your home. Many homes built in Northern Virginia had their foundations built on the so-called problematic soils that exist here in our Northern Virginia area. Probably the biggest concern is Marine clay which is prevalent in many areas of the counties in Northern Virginia, to get a building permit. Marine clay is problematic because it contains a type of clay called Montmorillonite clay that will expand during periods of very high levels of rain. Yet, when we experience drought, this clay tends to shrink. The problem with Marine clay is that it can cause havoc in your home’s foundation.  clays are made up of varieties of silky and clay soils that were formed during the geological era known as Montmorillonite as the Cretaceous Potomac era. Though many people call this Marine clay just that, they were formed in our area where brackish waters deposited this soil condition many eons ago. These soil conditions cannot only cause problems internally to your home’s foundation but can also create exterior drainage issues in the yard of your home. When building an addition, new home, retaining walls, stoop, or many other structures, you may be held up from getting a building permit when you go through the site process. At this point, Fairfax Contractor may have to employ the expertise of a geotechnical soil engineer to design a plan to build on these problematic soils. Problem Soils that include the most drainage problems in Northern Virginia is clay. There are 108 unique soil types listed in Northern Virginia soil maps. When designing an exterior French drain system, soil types will dictate the ability to evacuate water from a soggy yard. No exterior drainage system design will problematic soils  Bentonite or expansive clay evacuate standing water from your yard insanity; it takes time to move the water through problem soils. The first step is to get a professional engineer to evaluate the problem soils that might be present in your Northern Virginia home.

Problem Soil Types In Northern Virginia

One type of problematic soil found in Northern Virginia is the infamous Sassafras Marumsco Complex. This type of soil that soil and structure engineers need to deal with in designing construction projects. Sassafras soil is a common type found in many parts of Northern Virginia. The second part of this combination of soil is referred to as basically Marine clay. Marine clay is some of the most problematic soils to deal with in Northern Virginia when designing a construction project. Other problem soils in Northern Virginia some areas have expansive soil conditions. There is a chance that the soils around your house are expansive clay. In these areas of Northern Virginia with problem soils, we will need soil and structural engineer to design your project. Geotechnical investigations shall be conducted by Section 1803.2 and reported following Section 1803.6 in Virginia. Other problem soils in Northern Virginia are found in a small finger area from Chantilly up to Oakton, Virginia. Other areas that have problem soils include problem soil conditions, including Annandale, Virginia.

For More Information About Problematic Soils Northern Virginia

Information about problematic soils in Northern Virginia is important when designing a construction project. If your home in Northern Virginia has these problematic soils, we may have a problem getting a building permit for your retaining wall, screen room, deck, or additional building permit. Problem soils in Northern Virginia need a geotechnical engineering company to get a building permit. If you live in Alexandria, Virginia, Fairfax CountyPrince William County, London County, Lorton,  Chantilly, or Arlington County. If you live in a home in this area, your home may be on problem soils.

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