Foundation watering can protect the integrity of your home’s foundation.
Watering your foundation may be necessary in dryer, warmer months.
Foundation watering can allow you to maintain moisture, prevent cracks, and preserve the structural integrity of your foundation.
To water your foundation, you can choose from one of four methods: hand watering, sprinkler systems, drip irrigation, and soaker hoses.
The foundation is one of the most important parts of your home as it supports its structure and prevents shifting and sinking. Sometimes, it’s a good idea to water your foundation to ensure moisture consistency, reduce soil shrinkage, and protect your home. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at foundation watering so you can determine whether your property may benefit from it.
To water your foundation, pour water on the soil around it in an even and controlled manner. By doing so, you can prevent drastic changes in the soil’s moisture during dry, hot weather that can eventually cause your foundation to move. Through the process of foundation watering, you’ll be able to keep soil levels consistent and, in turn, safeguard the integrity of your foundation.
You can go the DIY route and water your foundation on your own or contact a foundation drain contractor near you.
"Climate plays a big role in the health of your home's foundation. During droughts, the soil can shrink and pull away from the foundation, causing settlement and cracks. Too much moisture can make the soil expand and put pressure on the foundation, which can also lead to cracks or shifts." — Tim O'Shea, The Build Pros
Watering your foundation at the right times with the proper methods ensures that you:
Maintain soil moisture: Heavy rains and droughts can cause soil moisture levels to fluctuate. Watering your foundation is an effective way to maintain consistent soil moisture and minimize the risk of foundation issues.
Prevent cracks: If the soil surrounding your foundation shrinks and swells, your foundation may move, causing unsightly cracks in the ceilings, walls, and floors. Foundation watering can help maintain consistent soil moisture and prevent cracks.
Preserve structural integrity: A well-maintained foundation is key if you’d like to ensure a structurally sound home. Watering your foundation can keep your home’s structural elements from shifting or unevenly settling.
Save money: Foundation repairs don’t come cheap. If you’re proactive and water your foundation when necessary, you’ll save thousands of dollars on repair costs from not needing to hire a foundation repair contractor down the line.
Enjoy peace of mind: Your home is one of your greatest assets. By being proactive with foundation watering, you can rest easy knowing your property will be protected, even during extremely hot and dry conditions.
If you notice any of the following signs, it’s likely time to water your foundation.
Cracks: If there are cracks in the soil near your foundation, this likely means dryness is present. These cracks are often the result of shrinkage, which may occur due to moisture loss and compromise the integrity of your foundation.
Soil penetration issues: Take a screwdriver or soil probe and try to push it in the ground around your foundation. If you’re struggling to do this, there’s a good chance the soil is dry and your home is at risk for structural problems.
Uneven foundation settling: Sloppy or uneven floors may lead to uneven foundation settling in your home. This may be because of uneven moisture in the soil.
Soil separation: If you notice soil that’s separating or pulling away from your foundation, this means it’s extremely dry. Soil separation is a severe sign that warrants foundation watering as soon as possible.
There are several methods for foundation watering, including:
While hand watering is the simplest and most economical method, it can be time-consuming and tedious. You can use a standard garden hose with a gentle spray nozzle to manually control the water flow. Hand watering might make sense for small areas but could be a hassle for larger areas.
If you have an automated sprinkler system, you can use it to cover larger areas. The downside of this method, however, is that it can be difficult to control the amount of water that comes out, making overwatering likely. If you prefer to use a sprinkler system, you may want to invest in a system specifically designed to address your home’s foundation.
Drip irrigation is one of the most efficient ways to water your foundation as it delivers water evenly through a drip tube and keeps water wastage to a minimum. For optimal results, make sure your drip lines are 12 to 18 inches from the foundation, and avoid watering the foundation directly.
Designed with tiny pores or holes, soaker hoses allow water to slowly seep out into the soil along their length. With this method, you can prevent sudden soil moisture shifts and ensure a consistent, slow drip. It’s a good idea to place soaker hoses in different places around your foundation.
Factors like your location, type of soil, soil conditions, and vegetation will determine the ideal times to water your foundation. In most cases, you’ll want to do this during dry periods, especially when it’s very hot outside. Here’s a recommended watering schedule that can serve as a starting point and be modified based on the needs of your unique foundation and home.
| Time of Year | Watering Needs |
|---|---|
| January-April | You likely won’t need to water your foundation during these months. |
| May-June | Ideally, you’d water your foundation three times a day in 10-minute intervals during these warmer, dryer months. |
| July-September | Between July and September, you may need to increase watering depending on your soil conditions. |
| October | In October, three times a day in 10-minute intervals is likely a good idea. |
| November-December | You likely won’t need to water your foundation during these colder, wetter months. |
Yes, the season will determine how often you need to water your foundation. The general rule of thumb is to water more often when it’s hot and dry. You can reduce frequency during cooler, wetter seasons.
Overwatering can cause issues like water pooling and drainage problems. To prevent overwatering, monitor your soil levels on a regular basis and change your watering schedule as necessary.
You can water your foundation on your own. However, in some cases, it might be worthwhile to call a pro who can assess your foundation and help you figure out the ideal method and watering schedule.
