Question
QUESTION: I noticed when it rains a lot - sand is coming up from underneath the soil in my area around the perimeter of my ranch condo.  It is kind of a light color - almost like golden yellow. I live in Ocean County NJ. What could be causing it to rise to surface?  Could it undermine my cement slab foundation?  Thanks

ANSWER: Lorraine:

I will assume that the sand appears as a result of rain events.  This is a normal movement of soil particles.  Have you ever seen stones appear on the top of soil after rains?

I will also assume that there is no sinking of the soil or the house.  If the soil level is rising in relation to the house, I would call an engineer, architect or contractor to review your situation.  Otherwise, I would not worry.  It should not undermine your foundation.  The original builder may have backfilled the foundation with this sand.

Best wishes.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: No I see no stones - only very small pebbles mixed on top of sand.  The only thing I've seen since moving in last Sept is some very tiny cracking/splitting where for instance the baseboard joins the wall. Although this could just be paint splitting.  But I do have drainage problems in two corners on the same side of unit - water ponds and then sinks into the ground. This complex I live in is about 35-40 yrs old. I have had the maint. people come out and change around the splash guards but it does no good. The water still ponds. there are underground sprinklers but I doubt they are the source.  Thanks

Answer
Lorraine:

If there is discoloration of the paint at the baseboard, then water may be the cause of the cracking.  If not, then the paint may be old or the coat underneath may have been cracked and new paint is following suit.

If the puddles of rainwater are draining away, the drainage may be sufficient.  If water is coming into the house from that side, then drainage may have to be addressed outside to make sure it is working properly.  I would say that a puddle lasting more than an hour after a rain should be drained by surface shaping rather than depending on soil drainage.

Again, sand on top of the ground after a rain would be considered normal in your soil types.