*updated April 4, 2024
Protect your home foundation with water!
Did you know water is one of the best ways to protect your Texas home’s foundation? Water is the hidden hero for concrete foundations during hot Texas summers and dry spells. Texas is known for its expansive and diverse landscapes, but also long stretches of hot weather. These conditions can put strain on home foundations as shrinking soil compromises structural support. Understanding the importance of watering your foundation during the summer helps protect your investment and prevent costly structural issues and foundation repairs down the road.
Texas Soil & Concrete Foundation Interaction
Texas is notorious for its dry and hot climate. Now, mix in the expansive clay soil common in the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) area, and you have a recipe for potential foundation issues. While not all homes will suffer damage, consistent care is important, as we discuss further in this article Foundation repairs can become an immediate necessity if you ignore the soil conditions. Clay soil, prevalent in North Texas from Plano to Arlington, is known for shrinking more than 15% when dry, pulling away from your foundation and compromising its structural integrity. This soil shrinkage can exacerbate foundation problems, leading to uneven settling and eventually to even more foundation repairs. In our experience handling over 2500 real estate transactions we have seen our fair share of home foundation nightmares and we add a cautionary note for our readers here. We are extra careful in Mesquite and Garland TX as the clay soil we have found in these DFW areas are especially vulnerable to creating foundation movements.
How To Water My Home Foundation?
In simple terms, a house watering system like drip irrigation maintains the moisture level in the soil surrounding your home foundation, providing the required support to your foundation and health of your property investment. A well-hydrated soil counteracts the hazards of frequent Texas droughts and prevents the home foundation from sinking unevenly, thereby reducing the stress on your concrete foundation and structure and potentially reducing the need for future foundation repairs.
Choose the Right Watering System
Manual hand watering, though feasible, is not the most efficient way to keep your soil hydrated. Drip irrigation and soaker hose are a far better option. The watering system or soaker hose should be placed around 10 to 18 inches away from your home foundation and connected to your outdoor faucet. These deliver water slowly and directly to the soil, minimizing wasteful runoff. Set an automatic timer to ensure consistent watering, especially during the hottest months. Aim for watering sessions in the early morning or evening when evaporation is lower. An automatic timer can help you ensure that your home foundation gets watered consistently. Consistency in watering could be the difference between a strong home foundation and one that needs frequent and costly foundation repairs.
How Often Should I Water My Home Foundation?
The frequency of watering your home foundation in Texas depends on several factors, including soil type, when was the last time it rained, and the age of your foundation. In general, during the hottest summer months, it’s recommended to water your foundation daily using a soaker hose or drip irrigation system. Target 15-20 minutes of watering, ensuring the soil remains moist but not saturated. For clay soils that is common in many parts of Texas like the Dallas Fort Worth area, more frequent watering might be necessary, potentially every other day.
Seasonal considerations are also important. Watering system schedules should be adjusted to reflect milder seasons and to avoid overwatering which has its own set of foundation issues. Monitor the soil around your foundation almost like taking the temperature when you are feeling sick – if it’s becoming dry and pulling away from the house structure, it’s time to water and protect your home foundation!
How To Use Plants and Drainage To Protect A Home Foundation
Planting shrubs and flowers around your home foundation isn’t just for aesthetics. It actually serves a practical purpose by providing shade and helping to reduce soil erosion. Also, proper drainage like installing gutters ensures that you’re not turning your property into a muddy mess while trying to protect the home foundation.
Signs For Home Foundation Trouble
Be proactive in managing your home foundation. Don’t wait until things get really cracked up! Look out for these common signs of foundation trouble: cracks in your interior walls or outside brick or stucco (especially stair-step cracks like in photo above), doors and windows that now stick or won’t shut properly, and floors that feel uneven or slanted. If you notice any of these foundation problem cues, it doesn’t necessarily mean disaster, but it’s a good time to bring in a home foundation expert for an evaluation. The earlier you catch potential problems, the better your chances of preventing costly foundation repairs. Of course, newer homes on slab foundations may be less affected by dry spells than older homes with pier and beam foundations
Pest And Insect Prevention
As an additional bonus, by creating a repeatable watering system to protect your home foundation, proper watering plays a crucial role in deterring unwanted pests and insects. Overly dry soil creates an ideal environment for insects like termites, ants, and roaches. These pests and insects can cause significant damage to your home’s structure, especially wooden components. This is a great way on how to prevent termites around a house for sure! Overly dry foundations can even attract scorpions, so consistent watering is key in areas where they’re common like the Austin TX area! By maintaining consistent moisture levels around your foundation, you make the area less hospitable to these destructive insects, protecting your home foundation from potential insect infestation.
If You’re Concerned about Foundation Issues
If you’ve noticed those signs of trouble we discussed and want peace of mind, getting a professional home foundation assessment is always prudent and wise. For Texas homeowners from Fort Worth to Dallas, minor foundation repairs and preventative care can eliminate major headaches and expenses later. However, if the concrete foundation damage is severe, selling your house “as-is” can be a valid option. Companies like Bright Bid Homes specialize in buying houses quickly, giving you a cash offer and saving you the time and stress of repairs. Let us help you turn your house into a bright fresh start!