Protecting your home’s foundation is one of the most critical parts of home ownership. When the soil around your house dries out and cracks during the hottest summer months, foundation damage can sometimes follow. To prevent that problem, many homeowners turn to watering their foundations. While adding water to the soil sounds like a good idea in theory, does watering your foundation actually help? If you implement a consistent system, it just might be a way to save on costly repairs in the future.
Watering Your House Foundation to Prevent Damage
Why Dry Soil is a Problem for Your Foundation
Why have homeowners in Texas heard about watering your foundation, but many others across the country never have? Much of the reason comes down to the soil and weather in our area. With long periods of hot, dry weather and soil composition that doesn’t help retain moisture, your home’s foundation can be in danger.
Soil in North Texas
The AgriLife Research Extension Program at Texas A&M University explains how dry conditions affect your home’s foundation. The clay soil across the state does not respond well to extended dry spells. Because clay does not retain or evenly distribute moisture, when the hot sun bakes the soil around your home, the ground develops deep cracks and can shift large areas of soil. The ground can sink and shift, causing potential uneven patches under your foundation.
Foundation Concerns You Shouldn’t Ignore
If you’ve noticed dry soil around your foundation or cracks that appear in the summer heat, make sure to check the interior and exterior of your home for any signs of foundation damage. Some of the most common issues that could point to a foundation problem are:
- Cracks in the cement or soil near the foundation
- Misaligned doors or windows
- Thin cracks on the inside walls, especially near corners
- Water pooling near your home
- Mold or mildew in the basement or the exterior walls
Professional companies like Ecoscape Foundation can help you diagnose the source of the problem before it turns into a larger project.
How Watering Your Foundation Might Help
In hot, dry climates like ours, watering the foundation of your house could help mitigate damaging complications. The idea is that keeping consistent moisture levels in the soil around your home will prevent the shrinking and shifting of soil under your foundation. Some experts explain that the cost savings can be impressive. Foundation repairs can run into the thousands, so a slightly higher water bill might be a worthwhile tradeoff.
The Best Way to Water Your Foundation
Preventing foundation damage is important, but it’s critical to learn how to water your foundation for the best results with minimal water or money waste. The ultimate goal is consistency, so if you choose to water your foundation, make sure to do it year-round, not just in the hottest months.
Soaker Hoses
One of the best ways to keep the soil around your foundation moist is to use a soaker hose on a timer system. Texas A&M suggests hooking up a system that includes a backflow preventer, pressure regulator, and timer to ensure everything works properly and consistently. Soaker hoses are preferable to standard garden hoses because the water is evenly distributed along their whole length. Program the system to turn on for 15-30 minutes three times a week at a very low volume.
Creative Gardening
If you’re concerned about wasting too much water on your foundation, having a garden around your perimeter can be a good compromise. Watering the plants will, in turn, keep the soil consistently moist. Make sure that any plants, shrubs, or trees you choose will work well in the area and aren’t planted too close to your home. Check this guide for foundation plants to see which ones might best suit your yard aesthetic.
Potential Downsides of Watering Your Foundation
Although watering your foundation is a common practice, there isn’t clear scientific evidence that it’s always the best practice. Experts caution that the soil around your foundation needs consistency more than haphazard moisture. If you don’t develop a good system for watering your foundation, you risk causing problems from overwatering.
Pooling in Low Spots
One of the biggest concerns with watering your foundation is that too much moisture builds up around the base of your home. Water pooling in low spots can slowly damage exterior walls, cause mold or mildew to form, seep into basements, or even create foundation shifts and sinking (which you were trying to avoid in the first place!). If you notice any pooling water or signs of water damage, consult a professional immediately before the problem gets worse. Ecoscape Foundation technicians can help you determine whether watering your foundation is a good course of action in the future.
Inconsistent Weather
Even if you have a sound system for consistently watering your foundation, surprise weather patterns can throw everything off. A sudden downpour right after your soil is already saturated might cause pooling around your home. A longer-than-expected drought could cause dried soil and cracks on the days you don’t water, leading to the same expanding and contracting cycle you hoped to avoid. If you’ve implemented a foundation watering plan, make sure to adjust as needed based on the weather.
Watering your house foundation can be an excellent way to avoid costly damage to your home. Continue inspecting for interior and exterior signs of foundation damage on a regular basis — rather than relying only on watering to prevent any problems. Call a professional team like the experts at Ecoscape Foundation if you notice any signs of damage. Catching problems early can make prevention and repair much more manageable.
This article was created by an external contributor. Members of The Dallas Morning News editorial and news staff were not involved in the creation of this content.