In order to avoid foundational issues that can lead to cracked walls, doors that stick, uneven floors, and structural hazards, you should water the soil around your Texas home year-round. The foundation will settle or tip, which leads to costly damages to your home during the cooler, dryer months of winter, the soil around your Texas home can dry out and shrink. By keeping the soil moist throughout the entire year and scheduling regular inspections, foundation repair work can be avoided. With this in mind, we at DuraTech Texas would like to discuss the winter and your foundation.
Can Cold Weather Cause Foundation Problems?
Usually, being in relation to the soil that the foundation sits on, foundation problems during colder months occur, as opposed to being due to being a poor-quality foundation. Texas soil typically reacts to changes in water since it is predominantly made up of clay, including black gumbo and caliche. Soil cracking can easily develop simply due to the changes in the amount of moisture in the air. As a result, uneven settling of your foundation if your soil cracks.
How Can I Protect My Foundation?
In order to help prevent shifting and settling, keep the moisture level of your soil consistent around the year. Below are two steps to keeping your soil moist in the winter.
1) Set up approximately 18 inches from the foundation of your home a soaker hose or an in-ground sprinkler system.
2) You will use less water during the winter than you would during the summer. Even though winter droughts in Texas can cause more drying, the cooler weather allows the soil to soak up and keep more of the water it receives, despite the summer heat can causing more evaporation.
How Should I Water Around My Foundation?
– Over-watering needs to be avoided. The ground can become too soft if you use too much water. Stop watering if the ground starts to become squishy.
– Prevent turning your firm soil into mud by not placing the soaker hose in direct contact with the foundation as it can lead to water pooling. The soil’s ability to support your home’s foundation can be affected otherwise.
– Stay away from uneven watering by avoiding connecting more than one soaker hose.
– To keep water from filling any low-lying places that may collect water near your home, ensure watering won’t drain towards your house by.
– Ask them to stop if the amount of water your neighbor is using affects the soil on your property.
What is Frequency of Watering Soil
Depending on how dry it is during winter will dictate how often you need to water. It’s essential to water the soil of your foundation at least two to three times throughout the month, for approximately 20 minutes at a time if we don’t get much rain during January or February. Ensure you don’t overwater the soil by keeping an eye on your sprinkler or soaker hose. You may need to water more frequently it’s a really dry winter as you are aiming to keep a consistent moisture level in the soil around your foundation.
Assess Foundation Damage
During winter, we recommend that you check the exterior of your home look for cracks or issues that may affect your foundation, however, foundation damage isn’t always as apparent. If you want to play it safe, we encourage an inspection service. This can prevent damage and costlier repairs with early detection.
Foundation Inspection & Repair Services & More in Crosby, Cypress, Friendswood & Greater Houston, Texas
When you need foundation repairs in Houston, TX and surrounding areas, call in the experts of DuraTech Texas and let us take care of the rest.