The drought and your home's foundation (house, buy, kitchen cabinets)

[marklbucla]

I've noticed that there have been more "creaking" sounds in my 83' built First Colony house lately, possibly because of the hardening of the soil. It looks like the lack of rain has really caused major changes to the soil on lawns and walkways.

Has anyone else noticed this, and is there anything that I ought to do as a preventative measure to prevent foundation problems?

[testmo]

install a foundation watering system like a drip line, soaker hose, or make sure the sprinkler heads at the perimeter of your foundation are working properly. you may have to "water your foundation" more than you water your lawn if you are letting the lawn brown a bit in the drought.

dont water your foundation ON the foundation but the lines have to be about a foot or foot and a half away. keeping our lawn watered well just isnt enough anymore so we are putting in soaker hoses today

[ToyYot]

Originally Posted by briangilchriest

Actually testmo, I don't mean to disagree with you.

Actually, you do mean to disagree!

[KimFreebish]

I'm noticing cracks in the bathroom floor and the upper kitchen cabinets are starting to seperate from the wall.

[ilikepizza]

what if you don't have grass but concrete next to the house? How are you suppose to water your foundation a foot or two away?

[TFW46]

I'm wondering the same thing, pizza. Most of my foundation is hidden by a paver patio that surrounds three sides of my house.

[testmo]

is the paver patio cemented down or simply laid with sand? the sand will allow water to sink down. i water my patio regularly (for the soil underneath/foundation and it keeps it cooler out there)

if it is an impenetrable surface i dont know what your options are. ive heard if you dont water your foundation within 1-1.5 feet away you are simply watering your grass. as a layperson id say just to make sure you water your grass well. the water will flow through the soil somewhat. keeping your yard watered roots and things will seek their moisture there as opposed to going under the house and attacking pipes and damaging your foundation

[TimBomb]

If its impenetrable then the moisture under there would still be there.

[TFW46]

My patio is laid with sand. I never thought to water the patio. Thanks so much!

[jflores]

Originally Posted by LargeMargeSentMe

I'm noticing cracks in the bathroom floor and the upper kitchen cabinets are starting to seperate from the wall.

Yep, same here. Buy yourself some soaker hoses and lay around the perimeter of your home about 1 to 1.5 foot away from the house. Twice a days for about 30 mins or so.