Keeping foundation watered? (Houston, Dallas, El Paso: HOA, new house, buy)

[FalconheadWest]

Originally Posted by TexasMove07

How long do you keep the hose on for? How many days a week?

It's going to vary depending on the season, the heat, and how much rain there has been. Many times, you don't need the hoses in April, May, or June because it'll rain enough.

In the hot hot of the summer, a good 10-15 minutes with the soaker hoses about 3-5 times a week. It's a large range, but I don't know if you have 2-story neighbors. If you do, the sides are probably shaded most of the day, and the sides of your home are not drying out like the front and back. Just watch the moisture level. Don't wait until you see cracks in the dirt.

East/West facing houses don't need as much watering on the east side as you do the west side as the early sun it not as hot.

It sounds complicated, but it's not. Get a timer to put on your soaker hoses, and it'll be automatic just like your sprinklers.

[mmorenzetti]

If I already have sticking doors and cracks in the door ways is it to late?? I have installed soaker hoses 2 feet from the foundation but the cracks have me worried.

[mmorenzetti]

oops I meant to say cracks in the door ways

[FalconheadWest]

No, it's not too late as issues can always be corrected over time, but it won't be immediate. 2 feet away is too far. You need to be less than 18 inches away but more than 6 inches. 2 feet (24 inches) is just watering your grass.

[El Passeaux]

Thanks for all the input Falconhead. Not being a Texan, i didnt know about all this until reading the forum. We have a door that wont close and 2 doors across the hall that can close but are far enough off where the lock doesnt catch. I just bought a soaker hose and will hope for the best at this point. Bring on October and all that fall rain!!!

[Rakin]

Do you not have a sprinkler system ?

If you water your yard enough, you'll water your foundation. If your foundation is needing water, I'd bet your yard and shrubs need it also. If you don't have a sprinkler system, do it the old fashioned way with a hose & movable sprinkler you can take around the yard.

This time of year your trees need a real good deep drink of water about once a week.

[El Passeaux]

Originally Posted by Rakin

Do you not have a sprinkler system ?

If you water your yard enough, you'll water your foundation. If your foundation is needing water, I'd bet your yard and shrubs need it also. If you don't have a sprinkler system, do it the old fashioned way with a hose & movable sprinkler you can take around the yard.

This time of year your trees need a real good deep drink of water about once a week.

We do actually but it doesnt seem to be getting the job done. I run it a few times a week for about 10 min. I have 2 giant oak trees in the front (about 40-50 ft tall), i wonder if roots are the culprit.

[skids929]

This sounds like a complete PIA..Is this common all over Texas? Or just certain places?

Why no basements in Texas? Is there a reason for strictly slabs everywhere?

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

I don't think 10 min is long enough in the heat you are having. I would do 30 min on each area, 3 x week.

[dgz]

Originally Posted by emmablue

Hello, We are currently in the process of buying a new home in the Murphy area. We were told by our realtor that it is necessary to keep your foundation watered during the summer. I don't understand this. I was raised in Arizona where it is also very hot, but we never put the sprinkler on our foundation. Can someone please clarify. Is this just for new construction or just for the Murphy area.

Thank you in advance.

Most homes here will have sprinkler system. If the sprinkler system includes beds around the perimeter of the house and you run it once a week, you should be fine. I've been living here 20 years, and I generally run my sprinkler system once a week each week from June through September. Less so in May and October. And not at all in the winter. I have no had any problems with foundations. Of course this will vary if we hit a long stretch of drought.

Many of my neighbors overwater their grass and their grass fails to develop deep roots. It is better to water once a week more heavily allowing the water to saturate the clay soil more deeply then to do lighter waterings 2x a week (where only the top part of the grass gets water).

Also, excessive water around the slab can be worse than less water--as the montmorillonite in the clay here expands with water and contracts with less. So, when you buy a house, make sure that you do not have areas close to the foundation where water pools and stays pooled extended periods of time.