Learning why soil pulls away from foundations in Summer is important. Warm temperatures severely impact foundations. It can cause them to break and become uneven. This can lead to massive foundation damage that must be stopped.
The primary reason why soil pulls away from a foundations in summer is because of a lack of moisture in the soil. In areas such as the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, dry clay soils can be particularly problematic in the summertime because they contract when it’s warm. This pulling away from the soil can lead to large gaps between your concrete slab foundation and the dirt that surrounds it. In the end, this can cause foundation damage. This includes sinking, settling or cracking. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in Arlington, Grand Prairie, Mesquite or Irving, you’ll still have the same issues.
How to Tell if Soil is Pulling Away from Your Foundation In Summer:
Due to the composition of the soil that your foundation is in contact with, it is susceptible to movement. Expansive clay soils expand and contract based on its moisture content, tied directly to the outside temperament. This can also cause heaving in foundations in the case of a heavy rain period. However, house foundations in Arlington, Fort Worth or elsewhere in the DFW Metroplex that encounter blistering hot summers may experience the soil actually contracting due to insufficient moisture content. This pulls the soil away from your foundation, causing gaps, cracks, or other results. When that happens, foundation repair may be required.
The only way to know whether the soil is pulling away from your foundation is to look for gaps between your foundation and the dirt. If it has caused visible damage, ask a foundation repair contractor in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to professionally evaluate your foundation.
What To Do If Soil Pulls Away?
The best thing to do is to start watering your foundation this summer. This stops the soil from pulling away. One solution is to place a soaker hose about 12-18” away from your foundation and let it run for about 20 minutes a day when it’s super hot. A soaker hose can be professionally installed or you can simply purchase some at a local do-it-yourself store, which can be purchased quite inexpensively. Or, you can install a sprinkler system that waters your yard and the area surrounding your foundation. Of course, you don’t want the soil to get too wet or soggy — just water your foundation enough to keep it somewhat moist. Also, be mindful of the recent weather – don’t bother watering the foundation if a heavy rainstorm has recently passed through!
The most important reason to understand the signs of soil pulling away from your foundation is to stop the gap between your foundation and the soil from getting bigger as soon as possible. Not only do you avoid problems that escalate in severity the more time they are left undiscovered, but your cost for repairs will also be significantly lower if you catch them quickly.
When temperatures soar above 100 degrees in North Texas areas like Dallas and Fort Worth, homeowners frequently experience problems resulting from a lack of moisture. Contact HD Foundations today for the best foundation repair team in the DFW Metroplex. We take care of foundation problems during the summer.