# Draft image: Foundation Cracks: Expansive Soils **URL:** \ **Category:** Special Deals for InterNACHI Inspectors\ **Created:** [October 13, 2026, 3:13pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/draft-image-foundation-cracks-expansive-soils/271409 "2026-10-13T15:13:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zupright](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/zupright/32/301800_2.png) [@zupright](https://forum.nachi.org/u/zupright)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 3:13pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/draft-image-foundation-cracks-expansive-soils/271409/1 "2026-10-13T15:13:51Z")
I’ve attached a new draft image to preview, before finalizing. I’d like to hear any valuable feedback from the forum. Thanks for your help! ![Foundation-Cracks-Expansive-Soil](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/6/3/8/638120d153a4e6b192f86ec5b762f9dc64c58f16.png) ---
**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 3:58pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/draft-image-foundation-cracks-expansive-soils/271409/2 "2026-10-13T15:58:15Z")
Same as: > [@Draft image: Foundation Cracks: Differential Settlement](https://forum.nachi.org/t/draft-image-foundation-cracks-differential-settlement/271410/3): > > Concrete floors and concrete footings are not poured in one plane. They are separate pours and separate planes, typically. ---
**Author:** ![rcloyd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rcloyd/32/173058_2.png) [@rcloyd](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rcloyd)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/draft-image-foundation-cracks-expansive-soils/271409/3 "2026-10-13T16:23:39Z")
Looks pretty good Zack but would be good if a cracked footing was shown in the drawing. ---
**Author:** ![rmayo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rmayo/32/59218_2.png) [@rmayo](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rmayo)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 1:28am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/draft-image-foundation-cracks-expansive-soils/271409/4 "2026-10-14T01:28:11Z")
Soil is typically deposited in layers. It would be more realistic if the foundation was supported on multiple layers with the layer under the foundation labeled as shrink-swell clay or just expansive clay layer ---
**Author:** ![rbleich](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rbleich/32/423577_2.png) [@rbleich](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rbleich)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 12:46pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/draft-image-foundation-cracks-expansive-soils/271409/5 "2026-10-14T12:46:40Z")
Is the image meant to depict a catastrophic water management failure, such as broken water or sewer line or a downspout discharging at the foundation? I can’t think of any other reason why there would be a ball of wet expansive soil under the house. The image seems to imply that the only cause of a v-shaped crack in the foundation wall could be from expansive soil. I can think of other reasons why a v-shaped crack would appear from differential movement. ---
**Author:** ![lhenderson2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lhenderson2/32/58205_2.png) [@lhenderson2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lhenderson2)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 5:20pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/draft-image-foundation-cracks-expansive-soils/271409/6 "2026-10-14T17:20:13Z")
![Untitled](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/0/8/7/0879c3038a6e8c24e1181fa0646d8c2f8c1db875.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![bcawhern1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcawhern1/32/408713_2.png) [@bcawhern1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcawhern1)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 6:38pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/draft-image-foundation-cracks-expansive-soils/271409/7 "2026-10-14T18:38:50Z")
Now, will we get a whole troop of inspectors who can see a V-shaped crack, diagnose the issue, automatically attributing it to expansive soil? IMO, a V-shaped crack can be caused by settlement or movement. The cause of the movement may not be apparent. ---
**Author:** ![gromicko](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/gromicko/32/58172_2.png) [@gromicko](https://forum.nachi.org/u/gromicko)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/draft-image-foundation-cracks-expansive-soils/271409/8 "2026-10-14T19:30:50Z")
We have expansive soils here. Every home and building I ever built has caissons to bedrock. Cardboard void forms are placed under the concrete foundation walls. ![Screenshot 2026-10-14 at 1.31.01 PM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/4X/b/6/5/b65804e52576cc82d58f37cbd2dd658ad6f417be.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![lhenderson2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lhenderson2/32/58205_2.png) [@lhenderson2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lhenderson2)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 9:04pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/draft-image-foundation-cracks-expansive-soils/271409/9 "2026-10-14T21:04:55Z")
> [@bcawhern1](#): > > IMO, a V-shaped crack can be caused by settlement or movement. The cause of the movement may not be apparent. Agree. Many areas of the country have expansive clays, but it is the wet-dry-wet cycling that is the big cause of the problems with it, particularly here. Inadequate site prep is a huge trigger for foundation settlement even around here. ---
**Author:** ![bcawhern1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcawhern1/32/408713_2.png) [@bcawhern1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcawhern1)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 9:11pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/draft-image-foundation-cracks-expansive-soils/271409/10 "2026-10-14T21:11:24Z")
I would rephrase the entire illustration. What forces can contribute to a V-shaped crack? Up in the middle and/or down at the ends. And subsequent scenarios. Or possible results or complications from expansive soils. ---
**Author:** ![rcloyd](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rcloyd/32/173058_2.png) [@rcloyd](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rcloyd)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2026, 12:41am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/draft-image-foundation-cracks-expansive-soils/271409/11 "2026-10-15T00:41:19Z")
It almost looks as if you are auguring through some kind of volcanic ash in that pic?