Fix Unstable Soil & Prevent Costly Damage to Pools and Foundations Across North Texas
Our services
Pool deck cracking
Foundation movement
Patio or walkway separation
Doors and windows sticking
These issues are often caused by unstable soil — and can usually be corrected without major demolition.
If your pool, foundation, or concrete is shifting, we can fix it — quickly, safely, and professionally — and here’s how to get started today.
1. Schedule a Free Evaluation
2. We Diagnose the Soil Issue
3. Injection Stabilization Is Performed
4. Your Structure Is Stabilized
Soil Stabilization:
Preserving the Life of Concrete Structures
The Expansion Potential of
Non-Stabilized Soil
Non-stabilized soil has a high potential to attract and absorb an almost unlimited amount of water. As water is absorbed, the soil begins to swell or lift. This swelling can be measured in multiple inches of vertical rise, causing concrete structures to lift, crack, and break apart.
How It Works
Clay particles naturally carry a negative charge, while water molecules carry a positive charge. This attraction allows clay-rich soils to absorb significant amounts of water, resulting in expansion and movement.
The Expansion Potential of Stabilized Soil
Stabilized soil has a greatly reduced ability to attract and absorb water. When water is introduced, only a limited amount of swelling can occur. As a result, the soil’s vertical movement is typically limited to approximately one inch.
Benefits of Stabilized Soil
- Reduces soil expansion and contraction
- Minimizes damage to foundations and concrete structures
- Improves long-term stability of the soil
- Helps extend the lifespan of concrete surfaces
What Is Soil Stabilization?
In simple terms, soil stabilization—specifically chemical injection—significantly reduces the swelling potential of expansive soils by limiting upward soil movement.
From a technical standpoint, soil stabilization is the process of injecting water mixed with a chemical solution into clay-rich soils. This process creates a two-part effect:
1. Hydration of Clay
The injected water pre-swells and hydrates the clay as the solution disperses throughout the soil.
2. Ion Exchange
The chemical solution acts as an ion exchanger, altering the electrochemical nature of the clay. This weakens the clay’s ability to attract and bond with water. Instead of bonding with water molecules, the clay bonds with the stabilizing solution.
Once stabilized, the soil’s Potential Vertical Rise (PVR), or swell potential, is typically limited to approximately one inch.
Note: A geotechnical swell test is required to determine the actual swell potential of any soil.
Why Is Soil Stabilization Important?
Many areas of Texas contain high percentages of expansive clay soils. These soils can absorb large amounts of water, resulting in significant ground movement.
In some cases, clay-rich soils can swell by 4 to 6 inches or more.
Concrete structures such as:
Foundations
Driveways
Patios
Pool Decks
Sidewalks
are designed to tolerate only limited soil movement. Problems occur when soil expansion exceeds the design limits of the structure.
Soil stabilization helps reduce this movement and protects your investment.
Will My Concrete Never Crack?
Concrete can crack for many reasons beyond soil movement.
While soil stabilization significantly reduces soil-related movement, it does not guarantee that concrete will never crack. There will always be some degree of natural soil movement.
However, cracks caused by soil movement after stabilization are typically limited to minor hairline cracks rather than significant structural damage.
What Effect Does Soil Stabilization Have on Plants and Animals?
The chemical solution used in soil stabilization may increase soil acidity. While certain plants may be sensitive to these changes, most vegetation experiences little to no adverse effects.
If you have concerns regarding soil acidity or plant health, consult a landscape professional. Atlas Soil Stabilization does not perform soil pH testing.
Since stabilized areas are generally covered by concrete, much of the treated soil is not exposed to vegetation.
Safety Information
Before injection, the water and chemical solution:
Will not cause harm through normal skin contact
Is only slightly more acidic than white vinegar
During the injection process, some water may return to the surface. This runoff water is:
Only slightly more acidic than coffee
Generally considered low risk
As a precaution, pets and animals should not drink runoff water during the stabilization process.