Your home’s foundation serves as the anchor for your home, keeping it upright, stable and secure through the years and despite constant exposure to the elements. However, Texas’s sweltering summers and occasional heavy downpours can put a lot of stress on it.
When the soil beneath your foundation shrinks or swells due to moisture changes, it can lead to problems like cracks, bowing or leaning foundation walls, uneven floors and doors or windows that stick. If left unaddressed, these problems can negatively impact your home’s structural integrity.
Foundation maintenance is crucial to preventing damage to your foundation and your home. A straightforward approach to helping keep your foundation in excellent shape despite moisture changes in the soil is to water it.
Read on to learn more about what foundation watering is and how to water a foundation the right way.
What Is Foundation Watering?
Foundation watering is a process that involves applying water to the soil around a foundation to keep soil moisture levels relatively consistent.
Watering the soil in a controlled and even manner prevents drastic changes in the soil’s moisture content that can trigger foundation movement.
Here’s why it’s so important:
- Prevents Cracking: As the soil around your foundation shrinks and swells, it can cause the foundation to move, leading to cracks in the walls, ceilings and floors. Watering a foundation helps maintain soil moisture levels, reducing the risk of these unsightly and potentially costly cracks. However, it is crucial not to overwater, as soil that is too wet can place hydrostatic pressure on foundation walls, causing cracks and bowing.
- Preserves Structural Integrity: When your foundation stays intact and in good condition, your entire home remains structurally sound. Consistent soil moisture reduces the chances of your home’s structural elements shifting or settling unevenly.
- Saves You Money: Foundation repairs can be expensive. By investing in regular foundation watering, you save on repair costs down the road.
- Gives You Peace of Mind: Knowing that you’re taking proactive steps to protect your investment – your home – can bring immense peace of mind. You can rest easy knowing that your home’s foundation is less susceptible to the unpredictable whims of the Texas climate.
To summarize, foundation watering is not just about keeping the soil moist. It’s about preserving the structural integrity of your home, preventing costly damage and ensuring your home stands strong against the elements.
How to Water a Foundation
1. Consider These Factors When Creating a Watering Schedule
To ensure soil is evenly and consistently watered, creating and following a watering schedule is essential. The following are some of the factors to keep in mind when creating a watering schedule to prevent damage to your home’s foundation.
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Soil Types
The soil type around your foundation significantly influences your watering schedule. In North Texas, there are several soil types. However, the two most common are clay and loam.
- Clay Soil: This soil type can be found throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington and throughout North Texas. It has an incredible capacity to expand when wet and shrink when dry. In practical terms, if your home was built on clay soil, you’ll need to water more often and in more significant quantities to maintain consistent moisture levels and prevent the soil from shifting, causing damage to the foundation.
- Loamy Soil: This type is less prone to extreme expansion and contraction than clay. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t have to maintain your foundation. Watering your foundation will still be helpful if it stands on loamy soil. However, you won’t need to water it as frequently as you would clay soil.
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Climate and Time of Day or Night
North Texas’s climate features hot, dry summers, rainy spring and fall early seasons, and mild, relatively wet winters.
The bright sunshine and hot temperatures can quickly dry out soil during the warmer months. You will typically need to water more frequently to keep pace with the rapid moisture loss. Note that in the summer, it is best to water your foundation in the early morning and at dusk to prevent the moisture from evaporating too quickly.
Texas typically experiences rains during spring and early fall. During these seasons, you won’t have to water your foundation as often or as much.
Meanwhile, cooler temperatures during North Texas winters reduce evaporation rates, so you’ll need to water less often. But don’t skip watering your foundation entirely, as soil moisture levels can still drop. Try to water your foundation when the sun is high in the sky, as this helps prevent the water from freezing.
2. Choose the Right Watering System
When choosing the ideal watering system for your foundation in North Texas, you have several options. From hand watering to sprinkler systems, each method has its merits.
- Hand Watering: The simplest method involves using a hose and manually controlling the water flow. While it’s a budget-friendly option, it can be quite labor-intensive.
- Sprinkler Systems: These automated systems can efficiently cover large areas and offer convenience. However, they may not provide the precise watering control needed for foundation care.
- Drip Irrigation: A step up from soaker hoses, drip systems deliver water directly to the soil surface. They offer good control over the flow and can be an efficient choice for watering a foundation in Texas.
- Soaker Hoses: These hoses are designed with tiny pores or perforations that allow water to seep out slowly along their length. They are strategically placed around your home’s foundation and provide consistent, deep watering, making them an excellent choice for foundation care.
How to Water Your Foundation: Best Practices
Now that you’ve chosen the right watering frequency and the ideal watering system, the next step is to water your foundation.
It’s important to remember that it might be necessary to water twice a day, several days a week, especially in areas with expansive clay soils. However, be cautious not to overwater, as excess moisture can be as damaging as under-watering.
Regularly monitor the moisture level around your foundation. A simple way to do this is by checking the soil moisture using a moisture meter or a hand trowel. Adjust your watering schedule as needed, particularly during extreme weather conditions. For instance, if it’s been raining for several days, you can pause your watering schedule until the weather clears and your soil again needs extra moisture.
By maintaining a consistent watering routine and adapting it to your local conditions, you safeguard your foundation, promoting the longevity and stability of your home.
Secure Your Foundation, Secure Your Home Against Damage
In the unpredictable climate of North Texas, foundation maintenance isn’t a choice—it’s a necessity. With the extreme weather conditions, diverse soil types, and seasonal variations in the region, ensuring the stability of your home’s foundation should be a top priority.
Don’t let foundation issues take you by surprise. To help protect your most significant investment, turn to HD Foundations.
We specialize in foundation repair and maintenance in Arlington, Plano, Irving, Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas. If you’ve noticed signs of foundation damage or just want to be proactive, don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a free estimate or foundation inspection. We look forward to being of service!