< Causes of Concrete Damage

Soil Shrinkage

Soil shrinkage dries out the ground beneath your concrete, causing slabs to sink, separate, or crack. Florida’s heat, dry seasons, and mixed soil types make this damage appear faster. Know what causes the issue and how to stop it early.

Gaps beneath a concrete slab caused by dried, shrunken soil needing soil-shrinkage concrete repair in Jacksonville, FL.

Why Soil Shrinkage Causes Concrete Damage in Florida

Soil shrinkage happens when the ground loses moisture, contracts, and pulls away from the bottom of your concrete. 

 

In Florida, long dry spells, harsh heat, and pockets of mixed sandy-clay soil make this problem appear quickly. As the soil shrinks, it leaves gaps that cause cracks in the garage floor, sinking porch, or uneven concrete slabs.

 

If you’re starting to see small separations along slab edges, uneven sections, or widening cracks after dry weather, experts at LUX can assess what’s happening under your concrete and help you stop the damage early.

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What Causes Soil Shrinkage Beneath Concrete in Florida

Florida’s changing moisture levels and mixed soils make shrinkage a common issue. Here are the conditions that dry soil out and create gaps under slabs.

Close-up of cracked dry soil showing shrinkage from long heat periods that can cause concrete settling in St Augustine, FL.

Intense Florida Heat and Dry Spells

Florida’s harsh sun and extended dry periods dry out the soil fast. Driveways and patios absorb heat, speeding up moisture loss beneath the slab. As the soil shrinks away, concrete loses support and begins to crack, tilt, or settle unevenly across the surface.

Dry loose sandy soil loses moisture during hot weather, creating shrinkage that can lead to concrete settling in Palm Coast, FL.

Sandy Soil That Loses Moisture Quickly

Much of Florida sits on sandy soil that drains fast and struggles to hold moisture. When it dries out, it shrinks dramatically, leaving gaps and cracks under sidewalks, pool decks, and foundation slabs. Those voids lead to sudden drops and long-term cracking.

Sprinkler creating uneven soil moisture, causing soil shrinkage and sinking concrete near landscaping in Gainesville, FL.

Inconsistent Watering

Uneven watering from sprinklers or landscaping creates soil that expands in some spots and dries out in others. This moisture imbalance causes the ground under concrete to shrink at different rates, leading to shifting slabs, surface cracks, and sudden low spots around walkways and patios.

Tree roots drying the surrounding soil, leading to concrete cracking and slab sinking near a walkway in Ocala, FL.

Tree Roots Absorbing Moisture

During dry periods, nearby trees draw moisture from the soil beneath concrete. As the soil loses water, it shrinks and sinks, making slabs shift. This is common around driveways, walkways, and patio areas shaded by large Florida trees.

Dry compacted soil pulling away under a concrete slab and creating voids that cause cracking and settlement in St Johns, FL.

Soil Compaction From Heavy Loads

Repeated vehicle weight or outdoor equipment compresses the dry soil beneath a driveway or slab. As the compacted soil breaks down, it shrinks even further, creating dips and cracks that spread across the concrete surface.

If you’re already noticing cracks or sinking areas in your concrete, LUX can assess the problem to identify the cause and recommend the right repair before the issue grows.

Proven Solutions to Fix Concrete Damage Caused by Soil Shrinkage in Florida

Soil shrinkage creates voids beneath your concrete, causing slabs to crack, dip, or sink over time. Repairing the concrete without restoring soil support won’t last. That’s why LUX uses Florida-ready solutions that stabilize the ground, lift settled concrete, and prevent future soil movement.

Structural foam injected to fill soil voids under concrete, a soil shrinkage concrete damage solution in Middleburg, FL.

Soil Void Filling

Soil shrinkage creates hollow areas under driveways, patios, and walkways. LUX fills these voids with durable polyurethane foam that reinforces the slab and stops further sinking. This keeps the concrete level and helps prevent new cracks from forming as the soil continues to shift.

Technicians lifting a sunken concrete slab, a soil shrinkage concrete damage solution in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Concrete Lifting

When shrinking soil causes concrete to sink, LUX uses high-density foam injection to lift the slab back into place. The foam expands beneath the concrete, filling gaps and providing long-term support for driveways, pool decks, sidewalks, and garage slabs that won’t wash out or shrink during Florida’s hot, dry months.

French drain system installed beside the home to control soil moisture, a soil shrinkage concrete damage solution in Orange Park, FL.

Drainage System Improvements

Inconsistent moisture is one of the biggest triggers of soil shrinkage. LUX installs drainage upgrades—such as downspout extensions, French drains, and yard corrections—to keep water from pooling in some areas and leaving others too dry. This helps create stable soil conditions that protect your concrete long-term.

Yard graded to direct water evenly around concrete, a soil shrinkage concrete damage solution in Crescent City, FL.

Regrading the Soil

Uneven yard grades cause water to run off in unpredictable ways, drying out soil in some areas faster than others. LUX regrades the surrounding area to maintain balanced moisture, reducing soil shrinkage and helping slabs remain stable through Florida’s wet and dry cycles.

Technician sealing cracks in concrete to prevent moisture intrusion, a soil shrinkage concrete damage solution in Palatka, FL.

Concrete Caulking

Cracks caused by soil shrinkage allow moisture to escape faster—and allow rainwater to seep beneath the slab. LUX applies durable, weather-resistant caulking to seal joints and cracks. This slows moisture loss, protects the concrete surface, and helps prevent new movement beneath the slab.

Concrete sealer applied to the driveway surface to limit moisture loss and help prevent soil shrinkage damage in Lake City, FL.

Concrete Sealing

Concrete sealing helps protect slabs from Florida’s heat, rain, and everyday wear. LUX applies Prime Protect SWR, a high-quality, durable protective coating that reduces moisture absorption and shields the surface from stains and deterioration. This added protection helps the slab stay stronger and slows the effects of soil shrinkage over time.

Each solution targets a different part of the root-related problem while keeping your tree intact. LUX will identify the true cause and creates a Florida-ready plan that restores slab stability and protects your concrete long-term

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Protect Your Concrete Before Soil Shrinkage Gets Worse

When Florida’s soil dries out, concrete doesn’t just settle—it keeps shifting until the ground evens out again. You don’t have to wait for that to happen.

 

Homeowners across Jacksonville, Gainesville, Ocala, Palm Coast, and St. Augustine count on LUX Foundation Solutions to diagnose soil problems early and protect their concrete the right way. Our team understands Florida’s changing moisture levels and offers tailored concrete solutions.

 

If something looks uneven or you’re not sure what’s happening under the slab, we’ll take a look and explain your options clearly.

 

Call 904-921-3589 to schedule your free concrete evaluation today.

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FAQs About Soil Shrinkage and Concrete Damage in Florida

How does soil shrinkage damage concrete in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville’s heat quickly dries out sandy soil, causing it to shrink away from driveways, patios, and walkways. This leaves slabs unsupported, leading to cracking or sinking. LUX can evaluate the settlement and restore support before the damage worsens.

Why does my concrete sink during dry weather in Gainesville?

Gainesville’s combination of heat and clay-sand soil makes shrinkage common during drought weeks. As the soil contracts, the concrete loses its base and sinks. LUX can lift the slab and stabilize the soil beneath it.

Can soil shrinkage cause major cracks in Ocala?

Ocala’s mixed soils shrink significantly when dry, often creating wide cracks in driveways and sidewalks. Once the slab loses support, the cracks spread quickly. LUX offers lifting and void-filling solutions tailored to Ocala’s soil.

Palm Coast’s coastal winds and heat quickly dry out exposed soil. Maintaining consistent moisture, improving drainage, and sealing slab edges help reduce shrinkage. LUX can assess your slab and recommend Florida-ready prevention methods.

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