1. LACK OF MOISTURE CONTROL
Too little or too much water can cause
soil shrinkage and expansion, respectively. Moisture
should be maintained at consistent levels around your
home’s perimeter at all times. When the level of
moisture dries from one part of your house to another,
shifting is likely to occur.
2. POOR RAIN RUN-OFF CONTROL
While not essential, gutters and
downspouts can help control soil moisture levels.
Downspout extensions, splash blocks or underground
piping also help direct rainwater away from your
foundation. Failure to do so can lead to moisture
imbalances and soil erosion.
3. IMPROPER DRAINAGE
Installing a drainage system alone isn’t
enough to ensure adequate moisture protection for your
foundation. Your drainage system should slope away from
your foundation at an angle of three inches for every
five feet.
4. SPRINKLER SYSTEM WASTE
Using directional sprinkler heads on a
conventional system allows homeowners to point the flow
of water toward their foundation. If a hose-end
sprinkler is used, owners should use units that also
drop water on the ground, rather than spray directly in
the air.
5. WIND-RELATED WATER LOSS
Even a slight breeze can disperse water
away from your foundation. If you have an automatic
sprinkler system, make sure to change the timing if it’s
visibly windy.
6. WATERING WHEN THE SUN IS HIGH
The higher the temperature, the faster
water evaporates. Since the barometer reaches such
scorching levels during the summer months in Texas, it’s
best to water your foundation when the temperature is as
cool as possible, either early in the morning or late at
night.
7. LANDSCAPE WATER CONSUMPTION
Few homeowners realize the damage that
can happen to their foundation when the wrong plant is
in the wrong place. A single oak tree, for example, can
consume 100 gallons of water on a hot summer day. Plants
should be landscaped with the foundation in mind.
8. PLACING SOAKER HOSES TOO CLOSE TO THE
PERIMETER
It’s best to install soaker hoses six
inches away from the perimeter of your home, and buried
about three inches into the ground. Placing the hoses
too close to the foundation can cause water to saturate
the soil underneath the perimeter of your home’s
foundation, causing it to heave.
9. BE LIEVING THAT RAIN ALLEVIATES THE
NEED FOR PROPER MAINTENANCE
It’s dry in Texas most of the year, so
when it rains, parched soil expands. When the ground
dries up, it then contracts again. Rain can be a
catalyst for movement that causes damage to your
foundation. Make sure to maintain moisture after a
shower.
10. IGNORING EARLY WARNING SIGNS
Doors or windows that won’t close, or
hairline cracks in the flooring, ceiling or walls are
early signs that your house is shifting. By repairing
your foundation early on, you’ll avoid unnecessary
damage and costs.
