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When building a home, you should have the soil on the construction site tested for plasticity to determine how it will change under different moisture conditions. This is important because some soil is so "plastic" that (if the condition is not corrected) it can actually break concrete floors, crack the walls and destroy the foundation of your home. Highly plastic soil is sometimes referred to as "fat clay" that swells excessively and loses stability when it becomes wet. Fine-grained soils that contain a high percentage of clay are greatly affected by water, turning to mud when it rains and undergoing large volume changes-sometimes up to 40 or 50 percent, as the soil dries. Not only do clays swell and lose stability when they become wet, but they also retard the drainage of water. If plastic soil is found on your building site, the ground must be over-excavated and replaced with clean gravel. Homebuilders often choose not to include a basement, or to protect the basement walls from excess moisture by surrounding them with a layer of gravel. A fine-grained clay-filled soil with a high plasticity index may require considerable treatment, especially if used in a moist location.

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Bob Waldron
Coldwell Banker
5450 Lincoln Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90094
Direct: 310-337-9225
Office: 310-305-4200 x122
Fax: 310-301-1089
DRE: #00416026
Email: bob@bobwaldron.com

Bob Waldron, your real estate resource at Coldwell Banker, is a leading Realtor in Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista and surrounding communities on the west side of Los Angeles. With over 35 years of real estate experience and knowledge, Bob provides both buyers and sellers with excellent market expertise and unsurpassed professional service. Contact Bob to experience the knowledge, skills and advantages he offers when you purchase and sell real estate.