See what may be adding stress around your sunken concrete

What Greenville’s red clay can—and cannot—tell you

Clemson says Piedmont soil is old and often has red, clay-rich subsoil. Packed clay-rich soil may take in heavy rain slowly. That can raise the general risk of runoff and erosion.

This gives you useful questions about slope, downspouts, water flow, washout, old fill, and how the ground was packed. It does not identify the soil, drainage class, fill history, or cause at your address.

Check the map, then check the yard

USDA’s Web Soil Survey shows official soil-map data for an area you choose. Search the address or parcel. Read the map and report, but remember that mapped data has limits.

Then look at the property. Note the slope, downspouts, drains, ditches, plants, retaining edges, washout, past grading, utilities, and where water seems to go.

Take clear notes about water

Photos during or soon after rain can help. Stay out of standing water, soft ground, traffic, and any area that may be unsafe.

Check public-road rules before work starts

Greenville County says some work in a county road right-of-way may need an encroachment permit. This can include driveway tie-ins, utility repairs, and drainage work. The right agency depends on who maintains the road. The permit need depends on the work.

Before work touches an apron, curb, ditch, culvert, public sidewalk, or other road feature, ask who owns the road and what rules apply. This site cannot decide whether you need a permit.

Ask these questions before you choose

• What did the provider see near water, soil, and slab support?
• Will the work lift the slab, fill support, change drainage, or only some of these?
• What could stop the lift or require a different specialist?
• Are there open questions about roads, utilities, or property lines?
• Which water or movement problems are not part of the proposal?