The use of a soaker hose is most often the best
solution and the soaker hose should be used
24" to 36" from the house. Ron
Davidson at Ram Jack Distribution, a foundation
repair product distributor in Ada, Oklahoma
notes that in many cases homeowners have waited
too long before watering and cracks have already
occurred in the soil. In many cases starting a
watering program at this time is too late.
July, August, and September is when cracks in
the soil often appear. You want to have
initiated a watering program long before this so
the cracks do not appear.
Some of the other
maintenance issues:
Drainage- it is very important that ground
surface water drains away from the foundation.
Surface water should never be allowed to collect
around the foundation. Annually inspect the
ground from the foundation out at least five
feet immediately following a rainstorm. If there
is water ponding against the foundation this
situation must me corrected by regrading the
area.
Downspouts should be directed away from the
house and the water should discharge 3-4’ away
from the house at a minimum.
Vegetation-
Understand the types of trees you have planted
near your home. Certain trees have extensive
shallow root systems that remove water from the
soil. The Department of Housing and Urban
Development suggests trees be planted no closer
than their ultimate height. Plants with large,
shallow root systems can grow under a shallow
foundation and, as the roots grow in diameter,
produce an upheaval in the foundation beam.
Observation- As Tom Witherspoon notes in Residential
Foundation Performance, during times of
excessive moisture changes you must inspect your
foundation and note movement signs that signal a
problem. See
