The weight and pressure of the dry soil may affect and crack a foundation. There is wet soil that can exert a force
against a foundation.
The force is greater than dry soil force against the foundation, because of the hydrostatic
pressure forces. The wet soil may crack a foundation and cause moisture intrusion and water penetration through the
foundation and may enter the structure, building, house, basement, or crawlspace. Look for actively wet, damp, or
dry watermarks or indications or evidence of water intrusion problems at the crack or below the crack. There is
frozen soil that can exert a force against a foundation. The force is even greater than the wet soil force against
the foundation because water expands as it freezes. The frozen soil may crack a foundation and cause moisture
intrusion problems when the frozen water eventually melts. These soil forces are largely dependent upon the
geographical location of the structure and the climate zones and weather conditions. That's why home inspectors are
not responsible for future weather events or future structural problems, since conditions can change incredibly at
any time during the life of the structural system. A home inspection is just a snap-shot in time. A home inspector
is responsible for only those defects the inspector both observed during the inspection and also deemed to be a
material defect, as defined by the InterNACHI Home Inspection Standards of Practice at www.nachi.org/sop.