Water Restrictions in DFW burb (Plano: install, areas, foundation)

[stan4]

We follow the rules.

Turn them in.

[jason87x]

Do these restrictions apply for apartment complexes too? The complex where I live waters literally every night all night, wastes a ton of water, for little greenery to begin with, that still is brown. Of course I'm leaving there in about a week for other reasons anyway, the water use in a drought seems wasteful, especially with the severe restrictions homeowners deal with.

[ritholtz]

Originally Posted by EDS_

That's around .18 acres. Broken out to a month's usage that's 40.5 gallons of water. That's way too much for that sized lot.
We have .81 acres and a pool - we used 42K gallons last month.

Hi EDS_,
Can we reduce the watering times during winter without affecting foundation?

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by ritholtz

Hi EDS_,
Can we reduce the watering times during winter without affecting foundation?

Yes. The ground holds moisture much more readily when the temps are cooler. Generally speaking I will water less than 1/2 as much from say Oct. 15 through May 15 as the summer. Often we will have long stretches of off and on drizzly winter weather so sometimes I'll go a month or more and not water at all.

[highcotton]

Plano is going to 'Winter Stage 3' watering restrictions beginning November, 2013 and lasting until the end of March, 2014, which is once-every-other-week.

[ritholtz]

Originally Posted by EDS_

Yes. The ground holds moisture much more readily when the temps are cooler. Generally speaking I will water less than 1/2 as much from say Oct. 15 through May 15 as the summer. Often we will have long stretches of off and on drizzly winter weather so sometimes I'll go a month or more and not water at all.

Thanks EDS. I am going to cut my sprinkler times to half.

[ritholtz]

Originally Posted by highcotton

Plano is going to 'Winter Stage 3' watering restrictions beginning November, 2013 and lasting until the end of March, 2014, which is once-every-other-week.

I think, every city is going to adapt stage 3. Once in two weeks looks very restrictive. is it going to be enough for foundations?

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by ritholtz

I think, every city is going to adapt stage 3. Once in two weeks looks very restrictive. is it going to be enough for foundations?

Generally speaking soaker hoses are exempt from watering restrictions. If ones yard is very dry soakers are the way to go in order to preserve foundational integrity.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by ritholtz

Thanks EDS. I am going to cut my sprinkler times to half.

Only do that if you force yourself to walk the area 12/18" outside your foundation every 3/5 days. If that area looks/feels dry and hard to your feet water a bit more.

I have lots of trees and 18" roof overhangs relative to the foundation, lots of big trees and ergo little wind to the ground - which is about normal for North Dallas, but things might be different where you live. But broadly cutting your water by 1/2 or a bit more sounds about right.

Where are you/your family roughly?

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by highcotton

Plano is going to 'Winter Stage 3' watering restrictions beginning November, 2013 and lasting until the end of March, 2014, which is once-every-other-week.

That's going to make the foundation repair folks very happy come spring-time, 1x every two weeks is not enough for the northern burbs unless we get a wet winter/spring.