Expansive soils are among the leading causes of underground plumbing failures beneath residential and commercial buildings. As these soils absorb and release moisture, they expand and contract, creating movement that places significant stress on buried plumbing systems and building foundations.

This Knowledge Center brings together engineering research, technical papers, industry standards, expert opinions, and practical guidance to help engineers, contractors, architects, inspectors, and property owners better understand the causes of plumbing failures and the engineering solutions used to prevent them.