How Utah’s Soil Conditions Affect Concrete Foundations

If you're building in Utah, one thing you can’t afford to ignore is the soil beneath your foundation. It’s not just dirt—it’s the very thing holding your entire structure up.

At Sandstone Concrete Design, we’ve poured hundreds of footings and foundations across Utah, and we’ve seen first-hand how soil type can make or break your build.

🧱 Why Soil Conditions Matter

Concrete is strong—but it’s only as good as the ground it sits on. Different soil types behave differently when exposed to moisture, pressure, and temperature swings.

In Utah, you’ll commonly run into:

• Clay soils (common along the Wasatch Front): These expand when wet and shrink when dry, leading to foundation movement and cracking.

• Sandy soils (found in southern Utah): Great for drainage but can lack compaction if not prepped right.

• Loamy soils (in some foothill areas): Generally stable, but still need proper testing and compaction.

🔍 Common Foundation Issues Caused by Poor Soil

Here’s what happens when the soil under your foundation isn’t right:

• Cracking in walls and slabs

• Uneven settling or sloping floors

• Gaps between footings and soil

• Drainage issues that cause hydrostatic pressure

That’s why we never “just pour.” We evaluate and prep the base properly, especially in problem areas like Utah County, Salt Lake, Park City, and St. George.

👷 How We Handle Soil Issues at Sandstone Concrete Design

When we take on a foundation or flatwork project, we:

1. Check soil type and compaction

2. Add or remove material as needed (often road base or gravel)

3. Compact in layers to meet engineer specs

4. Adjust footing depth and reinforcement based on soil load capacity

If needed, we’ll work with geotechs or engineers to make sure your structure has a rock-solid base.

✅ Bottom Line: The Ground Matters in Utah

Utah’s soil conditions are diverse—from high alpine zones in Summit County to dry red rock in southern Utah. You can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach to concrete.

At Sandstone Concrete Design, we build from the ground up—literally—and we make sure it’s done right.

📍 Serving all of Utah: from the Wasatch Front to the backroads of Heber and Moab.

📞 Ready to build? Contact us today for a quote you can count on.