FINGER LAKES SOILS & YOUR FOUNDATION

Understanding how local glacial geology affects your home — and what you can do about it.

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GLACIAL HISTORY

CARVED BY ICE, CHALLENGED BY SOIL.

The Finger Lakes were carved by massive glaciers over 10,000 years ago. As these mile-thick ice sheets retreated, they left behind a complex mix of soils that create unique challenges for foundations.

Glacial till, clay deposits, and ancient lake-bed sediments cover much of our region. These soils behave very differently than the sandy or rocky soils found elsewhere — they hold water, expand and contract with moisture, and put constant pressure on foundations.

The Result?

Finger Lakes homes experience more settling, cracking, and water intrusion than homes in many other parts of New York. But with the right knowledge and solutions, these challenges are manageable.

Finger Lakes landscape showing glacial terrain
SOIL TYPES

WHAT'S UNDER YOUR HOME?

Glacial Till

Very Common

A mix of clay, silt, sand, and gravel deposited by glaciers. Common throughout the Finger Lakes, this unpredictable mix can cause uneven settling.

Foundation Impact:

Differential settling, poor drainage, foundation movement

Clay-Heavy Soils

Common

Dense clay soils that expand when wet and shrink when dry. This expansion/contraction cycle puts significant stress on foundations.

Foundation Impact:

Heaving, cracking, lateral pressure on walls

Lacustrine Deposits

Common near lakes

Fine-grained soils deposited in ancient glacial lakes. Often found near the Finger Lakes, these soils have poor drainage characteristics.

Foundation Impact:

Water retention, slow drainage, hydrostatic pressure

Shale Bedrock

Widespread (subsurface)

Layered sedimentary rock underlying much of the region. While stable, it's often covered by problematic soils and can direct water toward foundations.

Foundation Impact:

Water channeling, shallow bedrock issues

YEAR-ROUND CHALLENGES

EVERY SEASON TESTS YOUR FOUNDATION.

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Spring

Snowmelt & Rain

Rapid snowmelt combined with spring rains saturates soils. High water tables and overwhelmed drainage systems lead to basement flooding.

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Summer

Drought Shrinkage

Extended dry periods cause clay soils to shrink, creating gaps around foundations. When rains return, water rushes into these voids.

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Fall

Saturated Soils

Leaf-covered drains, late-season rains, and cooling temperatures slow evaporation. Soils stay wet longer, increasing foundation pressure.

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Winter

Freeze-Thaw Cycles

Finger Lakes winters bring repeated freezing and thawing. Water in soil expands when frozen, heaving foundations and widening cracks.

BY LOCATION

SOIL CONDITIONS IN YOUR AREA.

Each Finger Lakes community has unique soil characteristics that affect foundations differently.

Ithaca, NY

Tompkins County

Ithaca sits on glacial till with clay-heavy soils that expand and contract seasonally.

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Geneva, NY

Ontario County

Geneva's lakefront location means high water tables and drainage challenges.

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Canandaigua, NY

Ontario County

Rolling hills and clay-rich glacial deposits create settling and drainage issues.

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Penn Yan, NY

Yates County

Located between Keuka and Seneca Lakes with variable soil conditions.

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Watkins Glen, NY

Schuyler County

Southern tip of Seneca Lake with gorge-area soil and drainage patterns.

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Skaneateles, NY

Onondaga County

Pristine lake area with high water tables and historic home foundations.

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Auburn, NY

Cayuga County

Mix of urban and rural properties with varied soil compositions.

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Cortland, NY

Cortland County

Valley location with glacial soils and freeze-thaw challenges.

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Foundation repair work addressing soil conditions
OUR APPROACH

SOLUTIONS DESIGNED FOR OUR SOILS.

Generic foundation repair methods often fail in the Finger Lakes because they're designed for different soil conditions. We engineer every solution for our local reality.

  • Deep Pier Systems: We install piers to reach stable soil or bedrock, not just a few feet into unstable glacial deposits.
  • Robust Drainage: Our drainage systems are sized for Finger Lakes rainfall and clay soil percolation rates.
  • Freeze-Thaw Materials: All materials we use are rated for our temperature extremes and moisture exposure.
  • Wall Reinforcement: Carbon fiber and wall anchors designed to resist lateral pressure from expansive clay.
LEARN MORE

RELATED INFORMATION.

Service Area

See all the communities we serve across the Finger Lakes region.

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Warning Signs

Know the signs that your foundation is being affected by soil conditions.

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Foundation Repair

Explore our repair solutions designed for Finger Lakes soil conditions.

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Finger Lakes Soil FAQs

The Finger Lakes region presents a perfect storm for foundations: clay-heavy glacial soils that expand and contract, high water tables near the lakes, and harsh freeze-thaw cycles. Homes here face more soil movement and water pressure than homes in regions with sandy soils or milder climates.

Concerned About Your Soil Conditions?

Our free inspection includes a soil assessment and recommendations tailored to your property.

Get a Free InspectionCall (555) 555-5555