Clearwater Soil and Foundation Risk: Matlacha and St. Augustine soils and Urban land

What the mapped data shows

The USDA map unit associated with this Clearwater record is Matlacha and St. Augustine soils and Urban land. Its listed component is Matlacha, with drainage reported as somewhat poorly drained. These labels describe an area on a survey map. Conditions can change within a lot and may be altered by grading, imported fill, construction, or drainage work.

For this record, the Plasticity Index is 0.0 and the registry screening class is Lower. The recorded PI of 0.0 indicates lower mapped plasticity. Drainage, erosion, fill, plumbing leaks, and construction details can still affect support.

How to interpret this for a home in Clearwater

A mapped screening class is context, not a diagnosis. Two houses in the same map unit can perform differently because of roof runoff, plumbing leaks, tree placement, slope, foundation design, and previous repairs.

Document where water collects after rain, photograph cracks with dates and a ruler for scale, and note changes in doors, windows, trim, and floors. If symptoms progress, property-specific measurements can help determine whether movement is active, historic, or cosmetic.

What a sound evaluation should establish

• Is movement active? Compare dated symptoms and repeat measurements.
• Is water contributing? Review grading, drainage, irrigation, and plumbing.
• What supports the proposed scope? Ask how the repair design follows from measurements and site conditions.