But have you thought about how this weather affects your foundation?
All of this hot weather can cause the soil to shrink which will result in foundation problems like cracked bricks or concrete cracks (To learn more about what to look for, read Causes, Clues & Solutions to Foundation Problems).
But there's good news! You can help stave off the effects of settlement on your foundation by simply watering your foundation. Be careful not to water your foundation too much otherwise you can create upheaval problems.
The Supplies:
- Soaker hose
- Vacuum breaker
- Watering timer
In order to install a foundation watering system, you'll need to dig a trench around your home.
The hose needs to be 18-inches (2 feet) away from your home's foundation. This prevents the water from accumulating at the base of your foundation and creating settlement or heaving soil issues.
- Dig a 6-inch deep trench surrounding your home. Plan accordingly to make sure that you can hook the hose up to faucets surrounding your home. (Remember to keep the trench 2 feet away from your home.)
- Install the soaker hole into the trench.
- Attach the vacuum breaker to the hose.
- Attach the timer to the faucet and program it for twice a day (mornings and evenings) for twenty minutes at each time.
- Connect the hose to the timer and turn on the faucet.
Tips On Watering Your Foundation:
The goal of watering your foundation is to keep the soil under your home consistent. When you dig down, the soil should be damp or moist, not muddy or dry.
During the summer water your foundation twice a day for approximately 20 minutes. Try watering in the early morning and evening. If you notice mud, then you're watering too much. Try cutting the duration of watering back to 10 minutes twice a day.
