Shrink–Swell Soil Data by Address

Reading shrink–swell indicators

Linear extensibility and clay content help describe dimensional change in soil materials. They provide screening context, not a foundation assessment or geotechnical design value.

LEP is horizon-specific

Linear extensibility describes dimensional change in a soil material upon wetting and drying. Values can vary sharply between horizons and components.

Not a structural conclusion

LEP and clay content offer screening context. Foundation suitability and design require site-specific geotechnical investigation.

Why a property can show multiple results

The address resolves to a point inside a USDA map-unit polygon. That unit may contain several soil components in reported proportions, and the selected square foot is not directly sampled. The lookup therefore displays component percentages, attributes, and uncertainty together.

Source and limitations

Results come from USDA NRCS Soil Data Access and SSURGO after location matching through the U.S. Census Geocoder. Use them for research and screening, not as a replacement for field sampling, engineering, permitting, wetland delineation, or a septic perc test. Read the full methodology and data-source notes.