Watering Your Foundation During the Summer
When it comes to managing water near your home’s foundation, we usually are telling you to get water away from your foundation and what can happen if there is too much water near your foundation. But there is also a balance to that. You don’t want the soil around your foundation to be too dry. That’s the topic of this article.
Expansive Clay Soil Problems
If you’ve talked with me for more than a few minutes, you may be tired of hearing about the expansive clay soil that is typical in the Kansas City area and how it affects your foundation. Clay soil likes to expand when it gets wet and shrinks when it dries. When the soil gets wet and expands, the water's weight and the soil's expansion can exert a tremendous amount of force on your foundation, which can cause your foundation to push inward or even heave upward.
But when it gets too dry, the shrinking soil can pull away from your foundation, potentially causing several different types of problems. First, when the soil has pulled away from a structure, it leaves a void filled with water and debris during the next heavy rain. This water can exert significant pressure on the foundation walls, increasing the risk of lateral movement.
Second, shrinking soil can create voids under the foundation footings, which can lead to the foundation settling.
Third, as soil pulls away, the pressure exerted by the soil on the foundation walls is reduced, which increases the ability of the wall to move. In other words, as soil pulls away, it becomes easier for the walls to shift.
Signs the Soil is Too Dry
So how do you know if the soil around your house is too dry? If there has been a stretch of very hot and dry weather, and you have done no supplemental watering, there is a good chance the soil around your foundation is too dry. Indications include large cracks in your yard and, in extreme instances, soil visibly pulling away from your home’s foundation.
What to do about it
The most effective way to water your foundation is to place a soaker hose 1-2 feet from the foundation's edge. This will allow the water to soak into the soil evenly. This can be done throughout the year, but your foundation will need more water during the dry summer heat. It may even be necessary to water your foundation twice daily. You should supply enough water when watering to keep the soil underneath your foundation constant. If you’re only keeping the surface damp, you’re not providing enough moisture for the soil around your foundation.
Do not place the hose directly against the foundation. If the soil has pulled away from the foundation or cracked, water can run away from the area that needs it. In the summer, you may need to water at least two times a day (morning & evening) for at least 20 minutes.
