HOT
Foundation Tips

When it's summer time in Texas, it's hot, and it's times like this that can cause real damage to Residential Foundations on Expansive Clay Soil.

A number of conditions can cause distress to foundation structures founded on expansive clay soils, like those found here in the Fort Worth area. To minimize movement and foundation damage, I recommend the following procedures:

• Landscape all unpaved areas adjacent to the foundation.
• Provide and maintain drainage away from the foundation.
• Mulched beds with small shrubs or ground cover are preferable.
• Avoid large, moisture-demanding shrubs adjacent to the foundation, especially near corners.
• Studies have shown that trees within twenty feet of a structure can cause significant foundation movements.
  
• Water in a slow, uniform, systematic manner as equally as possible on all sides of the foundation.
• Soaker hoses or automatic sprinkler systems are best. Automatic systems require periodic adjustments for climatic conditions. For systems with multiple water cycles, program one cycle to provide perimeter foundation maintenance watering.
• Trees and large shrubs near a foundation require special attention during dry seasons to maintain soil moisture equilibrium.
• Deep watering with a watering rod and anti-transparent sprays on foliage are beneficial.
• Foundations that had previous perimeter stabilization require special attention to watering of areas adjacent to the pier-supported zone to minimize differential foundation movements.
• Do not permit roots from large trees to grow with four feet of the foundation. Prune roots periodically, or install ground barrier to prevent root encroachment.
  
• Ponding of water or plumbing leaks in localized areas adjacent to the foundation can result in excessive soil expansion in that vicinity.
• To prevent erosion, direct run-off from roof downspouts, valleys, etc., away from the foundation with splash blocks or piping.
• Periodically add soil backfill around the perimeter to compensate for erosion. Typically, the soil line along the perimeter of the foundation should be at least three to five inches below the brick line and slope away from the residence at about one inch per foot for a minimum of four feet. Beyond this limit, grade the site so that no runoff ponds on the property. Area drains with underground piping may be required to drain difficult areas.
• Use French drains to remove underground water only, not to remove surface runoff.