The Day the House Fell: Homeowner Soil Problems-From Landslides to Expansive Clays and Wet Basements

About this book

This is a book about soils-not soils that grow things but soils that are intended to support hillsides walls streets and houses. Richard Handy uses his years of professional engineering experience his knowledge of geology and his sense of humor to provide a light-hearted look at soil problems that confound buyers and owners of homes. With straightforward easy-to-read language Handy shows readers how to recognize and deal with problems that are at the very foundations of their domiciles. He addresses some of the most common and severe site problems details what to look out for and explains when to get professional help. Topics include: landslides slopes quicksand wet basements expansive clay collapsible soils glacial action bedrock caverns and sinks mines and landfills frost action and earthquakes. The text contains many diagrams and each chapter concludes with a list of key points questions and answers. This book looks at problems that confound homeowners builders architects real estate agents zoning boards attorneys assessors insurance adjusters earth movers environmentalists and even engineers.