The extreme Houston drought has caused an increase in the number of home foundations requiring repairs. Growing up in Houston I was told that when the Azalea trees start drooping it is time to water around the house. Today many people simply set the sprinkler system and sit back knowing that the water will be distributed around the foundation. The number one method of watering the foundation is to install a buried foundation watering system. Finally a soaker hose can be buried three inches deep and six inches from the home. Foundation damage can destroy your home, protecting your most valuable asset is a necessity.
Soil
As your soil absorbs water it swells and as it loses water it shrinks. Soils dry out in the summer and absorb water during the winter and spring. The soil in Houston area has a high plasticity index, that is, the soil has high clay content and tends to shrink when dry and expand when wet. Your foundation depends in part on the hydrostatic pressure of the soil to maintain its structural integrity. Therefore, it is important that the soil around the slab be kept UNIFORMLY MOIST.
Watering
The goal of a foundation watering program is to maintain a constant level of moisture in the soil under the house and foundation. The best way to water a foundation is to install a buried foundation watering system. Placing the hose a short distance from the foundation allows the water to soak into the soil evenly. The hose should not be place against the foundation.
Root Barriers
You should also use root barriers to keep large tree roots from around foundation and water trees that are within 10’ of the house on the side away from the house in addition to watering around the slab. Tree Root Barriers offer a solution for dealing with a tree which has been planted close to the foundation. Tree root barriers can be pre-formed container style, or plastic sheets with glued-on ribs. The most effective method for long term root management is the injection-molded modular panels that lock together to form both linear and surround barriers. There are also root barriers made from non-woven filter fabric.
All root barrier products are designed to function in a surround or linear application. All plastic root barriers have vertical root deflecting ribs to encourage root deflection.
GRADE
Three to four inches of slab should be visible on all sides of your slab. The home should have a positive drainage away from the slab. Rain that doesn’t drain away can cause problems. Grading away from your homes foundation helps to prevent foundation and water damage to your property.
Call Bill Edge at 713-240-2949 to see Houston Homes in 24 hours or less.
Source: The Home Inspector TM