As we move into the summer months, Texans brace themselves for the extreme heat, stocking up on sunscreen, wearing wide-brim hats, and trying to stay hydrated.
While we all think to take care of ourselves in scorching temperatures, most of us forget to prep our East Texas foundation.
Fortunately, you can take a few actions to prevent common foundation issues with minimal effort.
Shrinking Soil & Uneven Concrete
For both slabs and pier and beam foundations, shrinking soil can mean serious shifting of foundation levels. As the temperature reaches 90 degrees or more day after day, the soil will dry out and can even become loose and sandy.
If your home is built on expansive clay soils, extreme heat will cause significant shrinking that can lead to cracks in the foundation, basement walls, flooring, sidewalks, and more.
Shrinking soil under concrete means there is uneven pressure on different parts of the slab, causing fissures which can require professional concrete repair.
Summer rains can also contribute to foundation settling, as the moisture expands and contracts the soil below.
When you start to notice walls that bow or lean, gapping between walls and floors, or door frames that no longer fit how they should, you need professional concrete leveling.
Our professionals can use steel piers to help lift sagging sections of concrete, along with other methods of slab leveling depending on what is causing the foundation issues.
The Solution
Watering your concrete foundation is one of the best prevention and repair methods to prevent foundation problems.
You should start watering your foundation as soon as the heat starts to consistently hit the upper 80s each day, even before you notice signs of foundation problems.
If you neglect this step, it could mean calling a house leveling company and throwing away month on repair costs.
Be sure to plan landscaping with large plants away from the house so roots don’t grow and cause issues that need professional slab repair.
You can also seal your concrete sidewalks and patios so water isn’t absorbed, weakening the concrete.
How Does it Work?
Fortunately, you don’t have to remember to pull out the watering hose and spray your concrete slab every day.
Set up a sprinkler system or soaker hose and place it a couple of feet from your home.
The water will hydrate the soil and allow your foundation to expand in the heat, but contract when the temperature drops at night, preventing the need for slab foundation repair.
Run your sprinklers for about 15-20 minutes a day and it shouldn’t drive up your water bill, while saving you money on house leveling costs by the end of the summer.
Remember, watering is only beneficial in the warmer months of the year, as excess moisture in the winter can cause freezing and cracking.
You’ll also want to ensure the slope of your yard will run off excess water, or you’ll need to install french drains to ensure water is simply soaking into the soil, not pooling around your home’s foundation.
Schedule East Texas Foundation Repair
Your home deserves the highest quality foundation repair company.
If you find cracks ¼ of an inch or larger, call the Texas foundation experts at Lonestar for house leveling and foundation repair.
We are proud to offer affordable foundation repair in the East Texas area. Call today for your free estimate!
