The rich clay soil that is found across North Carolina (and around Hickory in particular) is not bad soil. It is fertile, cohesive, and very good at retaining moisture. This makes it great for growing certain kinds of plants and foods and means that it is less vulnerable to soil washout and erosion. With that being said, clay-based soils do have their challenges. That’s especially true when it comes to building. Because they are so changeable, and swell or shrink depending on their saturation levels, clay soils can be incredibly unstable. This presents issues for any structures that rely on them for support. The most common issues (which occur as a result of the movement from clay-based soil) are foundation settlement, subsidence, and fragmentation, as well as sinking concrete slabs and a unique process known as heaving. When this happens, the surface in question may bulge upwards and even start to crack or fragment. There are many things that you can do to prevent damage to your home as a result of expansive, clay-based soils. Most of them come down to moisture management. Improving and maintaining your property’s drainage systems, for example, is absolutely crucial to preventing damage to a property built on expansive soils. Likewise, grading and planting your yard properly can prevent foundation saturation or excessive dehydration and will help to protect your home.