When you’re a property owner in an area where the temperatures fluctuate, you should be wary of foundation problems. Preventing foundation issues at the onset is essential, to minimize problems in order to stop them from snowballing into extensive, expensive damage.
If you suspect foundation troubles in your Dallas-area home, it’s a good idea to get in touch with an experienced foundation repair company as soon as possible.
What Are Signs of Foundation Problems?
It’s important to be aware of what some of the signs of problems in a foundation are. These include:
- Cracks in the foundation
- Cracks on interior walls
- Cracked tiles or ceilings
- Sticky doors or windows
- Uneven or sloping floors
If you notice one or more of the above signs are present, it may be time to consider bringing out the drip hose.
What’s a Drip Hose?
While DIY foundation repairs are generally not advisable, there are steps you can take yourself to prevent certain problems.
A drip hose can help maintain the balance and keep the moisture levels consistent all year long. The hose contains an orifice every 12″ to 18″, which allows for precisely metered watering along the hose’s entire length.
How To Use a Drip Hose
Now that you know what a drip hose is, you’ll likely be wondering how to use them. A drip hose is connected to the faucet with a water timer. Timers typically allow two hose connections, and each runs for a specific time period. The drip hose should be placed 6-12″ away from the foundation.
Areas that receive direct, hot sunlight will be allowed to water longer than areas in the shade. If the ground around that hose gets too wet, reduce the watering time. The soil should be moist but not muddy.
Be extra cautious when you have trees on your property. Roots tend to extend themselves nearer to water sources, which can become a foundation problem. But you can always install a barrier.
It’s best to monitor the moisture level of the ground. Is the ground around your property too wet and muddy? Turn the timer down so that less water is provided. Just pay attention and adjust the settings. You may also increase or decrease the water flow at the faucet.
If the ground is too dry near the foundation area, it may be best to run the hose frequently and longer in that part of the property.
How To Set Up a Foundation Watering Drip Hose System
When you observe signs of foundation problems that can be remedied through the use of a drip hose, start by getting the measurements around your premises and faucet locations, to figure out where to place the drip hose. Two hoses can be run off of a single time by using a Y hose adapter. It’s important to pay attention to how close the drip hose is to the home. If it’s too close, water damage could be an additional headache.
What’s the Best Foundation Watering Schedule?
- Summer: When the weather is hot and dry, watering often should be the norm. There must be a consistent moisture level. Make sure to water every day, if you can. When watering daily, typically 15-20 minutes is what’s needed on a normal day. When the weather conditions approach drought levels, it’s best to extend the watering to as much as 45 minutes. While city draught water limits may be enforced, using a drip hose for the foundation is often permissible.
- Cold months: Dry spells can also occur in the cold season so it’s best to water at these times as well. Remember that when watering your foundation, you’re not just considering the lack of moisture from infrequent rainfall. You’re also responding to the water demand of the foliage around your property. A large tree can suck up 150 gallons of water from the ground daily.
Foundation Watering Tips
- Run the drip hose early in the morning to reduce water evaporation.
- Test using a screwdriver to see if the water is sufficient. If the inserted end is muddy then reduce the water level. If it’s dry, add more water.
- Don’t forget to adjust your timer. If heavy rainfall occurs then switch off the drip hose and use it when the soil turns dry again.
Why Is a Drip Hose Important?
To manage the cost of foundation repair down the line, opt for an easy solution to foundation problems. Drip hoses curtail the contraction of the soil around your foundation. Using a drip hose helps limit shifts occurring in the foundation’s support structure.
How Does Water Contribute to Foundation Damage?
Expansive clay soil that is water-heavy will swell up, while clay soil that lacks water shrinks. The repeated movement of expansion and contraction of the soil can result in foundation shifting and cracking. You may see cracks form on walls, floors ceilings, and door frames because of this constant motion. By using a drip hose and keeping the moisture level of the soil under control, the shifting will slow down.
What Factors Put Foundations at Risk for Soil-related Damage?
- Clay soil is the most vulnerable to soil expansion and contraction. If you notice that your property’s soil content is clay, you’ll want to consider using a drip hose. When clay soil is supersaturated, it turns to mud and loses all of its ability to support the foundation.
- Areas prone to drought and heavy rainfall experience a lot of foundation shifting compared to regions with milder climates.
- Properties with slab foundations are the most at risk when it comes to shifting foundations.
What Areas Face the Highest Risks?
Due to the clay soil content and extreme heat during summer, Oklahoma, Central Texas, and North Texas foundations are often subjected to more shifting. This doesn’t mean that they’re the only places where watering of the soil is needed. You can use a drip hose when you spot the ground breaking away from the foundation of your house.
Bottom Line
Drip hoses are one of the more cost-effective ways of maintaining your foundation. A responsible property owner will monitor the weather and start a foundation watering program. This can be a good way to save and safeguard your property against troublesome foundation damage.
If you need a reputable company that specializes in foundation repair, contact Granite Foundation Repair Inc. at 972-412-2171. You can also check our website at www.granitefoundationrepair.com for more information.
We are fully committed to solving foundation issues and worries. We always provide our clients with foundation services to keep them secure in their homes. We also offer a free foundation inspection, so get in touch with us today!