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Interesting thread. I to have clay soil on which my foundation rests. Are you in a colder climate? I am in the pacific Northwest and do not notice any "shifting" of the soil due to weather changes. When I moved into my home I photographed all of the drywall cracks with a thousandths inch steel rule in the frame and after a year and a half and two winter cycles they have not changed one bit.
What kind of foundation do you have?
I am in the Houston, TX area. Mostly hot and humid. Lots of rain followed by dry periods and clay soil.
CaroleF, this is easier than you think. The Houston Black Clay soil that your home sits on is known to move around like the blob due to wet/dry swelling and shrinkage. When it rains, the soils expands. During our hot, dry summer, it shrinks, like a sponge. While you don't see it, the ground is literally going up and down and a 16" movement is not uncommon. You can control the movement by watering the foundation. Do not place flower beds against the house. No rock gardens next to the house and no trees within 25 feet of the house. Flower beds will cause uneven moisture under the house and you'll get cracks in the drywall. Rock gardens will literally cook the moisture from under the house close to its location so again, you have uneven moisture under the house. Watering it weekly all around the house, about 30 minutes each side with soaker hoses, will generally keep the house from moving around. You shouldn't have any cracks or at least small cracks in the drywall following this regime. If you were buying a new house in Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio, you would be signing a closing document that states this exactly- you must water the foundation or expect cracks in the drywall.
Welcome to Texas! I hope you like HOT weather. Our seasons here are literally hot, and not so hot. Rarely do we see cold. Most often, a wind breaker is all you'll need for the winter.
CaroleF, this is easier than you think. The Houston Black Clay soil that your home sits on is known to move around like the blob due to wet/dry swelling and shrinkage. When it rains, the soils expands. During our hot, dry summer, it shrinks, like a sponge. While you don't see it, the ground is literally going up and down and a 16" movement is not uncommon. You can control the movement by watering the foundation. Do not place flower beds against the house. No rock gardens next to the house and no trees within 25 feet of the house. Flower beds will cause uneven moisture under the house and you'll get cracks in the drywall. Rock gardens will literally cook the moisture from under the house close to its location so again, you have uneven moisture under the house. Watering it weekly all around the house, about 30 minutes each side with soaker hoses, will generally keep the house from moving around. You shouldn't have any cracks or at least small cracks in the drywall following this regime. If you were buying a new house in Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio, you would be signing a closing document that states this exactly- you must water the foundation or expect cracks in the drywall.
Welcome to Texas! I hope you like HOT weather. Our seasons here are literally hot, and not so hot. Rarely do we see cold. Most often, a wind breaker is all you'll need for the winter.
Actually I've lived in Houston since 1989, so I'm not new to the weather, but I appreciate the explanation and the welcome. I enjoy the summer heat because I am always cold. I wear a down coat in the winter. I seldom can get away with a windbreaker even in the spring.
What is new to me is my pier and beam house. I've never lived in one before. Thanks for the foundation advice. Good to know.
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