Due to North Texas climate extremes, it’s important to know how often you should water your foundation. While the Dallas / Fort Worth area is known for heavy thunderstorms and for getting its’ fair share of rain, it’s important to take special care to prevent the soil around your foundation from drying out, causing cracks, sinking, and leveling issues in your home. Whether you have a pier and beam foundation or a cheaper concrete foundation, both are susceptible to dry soil, especially with the clay and rocky soil that defines the North Texas area.

How often to water a foundation

Humidity and Dry Arid Weather Affect How Often You Should Water Your Foundation

Here in Dallas, Fort Worth Texas humidity and precipitation can be 100% one day and the next be a dry and arid with temperatures varying as much as 60 to 80 degrees within that same time span. With drastic weather changes and often long periods of dry weather without rain, your foundation should be watered and soaked every day during those dry spells.

That’s because wet periods can actually create the perfect environment for your foundation to crack as it begins to dry. Moisture is absorbed into the ground as well as the foundation, causing the ground surrounding your foundation to expand and become squishy. Once the heat wave comes through, the rapid change causes the concrete to contract. This is most common during the driest months of May, June, July, and August. Once the heat rises, the common clay soil of North Texas pulls away from your house removing support, and allowing cracks to form and grow.

The cracks turn into gaps that will end up causing your slab foundation to sink and settle unevenly. If this is allowed to continue without proper care and foundation repair, the gaps will grow and spread throughout your home causing sloping floors, cracks within the walls, ceiling and even doorways and windows. These gaps will allow those not so friendly pests outside to make residence inside your home.

As you can see, it’s worth the time and slightly higher water bill to maintain a consistent moisture level year round in order to reduce the chances of cracks forming and causing damage that could cost $2,000 – $12,000.

Be sure to protect your home this 2018 summer by watering your home regularly. If you’ve noticed signs or symptoms of weather damage to your foundation inside or outside your home, we can provide a complete analysis of what foundation damage has occurred, the cost to repair your foundation, and a warranty to guarantee an extended repair.

What You Should Know About Watering Clay Soil In North Texas

The most common soil type in the North Texas area is clay soil. Clay is highly responsive to water, expanding rapidly in humidity and even more so with the heavy rainfall common to the Dallas, Fort Worth metroplex. However, in dry climates and during the hot months that can often be extremely arid in Texas, the clay soil can dry up and crack. It’s most common to see this on trails and in large open fields if you take a close look at the ground.

To protect your home from these changes, be sure to lightly soak your foundation on a daily basis during dry and hot weather.

If you notice any cracks, gaps, or unlevel spots in your home, contact Discount Foundation Repair. We’ll be happy to provide a free evaluation of your property foundation.