Homes and their foundation can sustain damage, settle, and sink for a variety of reasons. The root cause is typically the soil underneath and around the foundation. Settlement can happen when the soil becomes unstable due to wetting and softening, drying and shrinking, and poor compaction. Colorado’s primarily Bentonite clay soil is notoriously problematic because it is an expansive soil. It will swell significantly when saturated and drastically shrink during times of drought, which are common throughout Colorado. When there is a problem with the soil and it can no longer support the foundation or the weight of the structure, the home will begin to sink and settle into the ground.