To prevent foundation damage you need to water foundation? Use soaker hose? (Dallas: house, new construction)

[unseengundam]

Looks like around here there seems to be quite few foundation problem. How do you go about preventing foundation damage?

The heat, drought, and dry soil is part of the problem. Should try to install a soaker hose/ foundation watering system to help?

[bencronin04]

Yes, there are many articles on the internet. You just need to run a soaker house around the foundation.

[binkyman]

Originally Posted by unseengundam

Looks like around here there seems to be quite few foundation problem. How do you go about preventing foundation damage?

The heat, drought, and dry soil is part of the problem. Should try to install a soaker hose/ foundation watering system to help?

The sand up within the foundation to help support it sits upon clay that actually dries up and cracks during dry times. So, the idea is to keep the cracks from forming within the clay which the sand compacted above within the foundation can then pour into. That, in turn, weakens the concrete foundation.

But the trick is not watering too much. During normal times, the clay soil will be moist about a foot deep into the soil. Right now, the Dallas - Fort Worth area is 12 inches behind in necessary water to break the present drought.

If you could water and then somehow take a core sample from the area around the house, then you could make the determination whether it is getting enough water. The idea is to avoid those cracks in the soil that develop out in the yard. Perhaps the first thing to do is to check to see if your yards has any of those cracks in the clay. That will serve as an indicator on how severe the problem might be under the foundation.

You could then water the area around your house the same amount of time as you would be watering that part of the yard with the cracked clay using it as an indicator.

[Rakin]

Yes and no.

Do you have a sprinkler system ? If so you should be watering enough where you don't need a soaker hose.
If you are under water rationing then a hose would be beneficial to help the foundation.

If you get one, place it 12-18 inches from the slab. Not against the slab.

[Pete53FR]

Best to do it

[jbless]

Has anyone noticed new construction sites built in this drought have many cracks in the slab?

I read to get the best and strongest foundation it is preferable to pour the foundation at a time of year when there is more moisture in the air and soil.

Does anyone have further information on the above? Thanks.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by jbless

Has anyone noticed new construction sites built in this drought have many cracks in the slab? .

It's normal for concrete to dry and have some cracking. Look at any concrete slab.

The only temperature problem is you can't pour concrete below a certain temperature in the winter. (in the 40's I believe)

You might read more about post tension foundations and how they tighten the cables to secure the slab.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prestressed_concrete

What is a Post-Tension Slab?

[binkyman]

Originally Posted by jbless

Has anyone noticed new construction sites built in this drought have many cracks in the slab?

I read to get the best and strongest foundation it is preferable to pour the foundation at a time of year when there is more moisture in the air and soil.

Does anyone have further information on the above? Thanks.

The Dallas - Fort Worth is 12 inches short of rain. Believe it or not, that isn't a severe drought. Figure for every five inches of rain that falls and runs off, the water moistens a further inch into the soil. So, things probably haven't gotten to the point where huge cracks are forming in yards. I would start being concerned about addressing the slab, but it is probably doing okay.

Clay has a similar characteristic to dna in that it mutates. One can leave it for five years, come back, and it will be different. So, one has to be watchful of it.

[BeenThereDunThat]

Seems like a lot has to do with dryness and atmospheric humidity also times the number of days these conditions persist. I've had a foundation guy tell me that it was a waste of water....and I've had soil engineers tell me it isn't but even they'll admit it's not an exact science as a lot depends on how your lot is situated.... is your foundation on a berm (built-up soil), shade around the house, grade, run-off, etc.. A rule of thumb I've used is to soak for a couple hours in the evening and depending on conditions to do it every other day or every couple of days...depending on temps, etc. Soil plasticity differs from place to place so your mileage may vary. Soaker house should be a foot or two out from foundation. I've had foundation re-leveling so I keep an eye on things.

[nsumner]

There are several videos on youtube demonstrating how to properly install a soaker hose. Some are endorsed by Home Depot etc. so look at several to do it right.

Naima