Do You Need to Water Your Foundation?

Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) a foundation repair and construction company in Los Angeles, explains when and how to water your home’s foundation, and most importantly, why.

Clay soils expand when they absorb water, and shrink when they dry out. If your home is built in an area with clay soil your home could be at risk of foundation damage caused by seasonal changes in the weather. Clay soil tends to retain water and expand in winter and spring, and dry out and shrink in the summer, especially during a prolonged drought.

All of that expansion and contraction can cause foundation stress when the foundation tries to bend in ways that it can’t, and can lead to different types of foundation damage including; cracks in walls, sloping floors, sticking doors and windows, and damage to plumbing or electrical wiring.

One way that you can halt this type of foundation-damage causing action is by maintaining the moisture level of the soil under and immediately surrounding your home. If the moisture level is consistent, there won’t be any expansion and contraction motion shifting or damaging the foundation.
One way to achieve this is a buried foundation watering system, like a larger version of a drip irrigation system. You can also use a soaker hose- either above ground or buried about three inches deep. Soaker hoses are much less expensive than a buried foundation watering system, but still very effective. Another option is to use a hand-held hose, but you’ll have to be patient- it can take a while to water the area thoroughly.

Make sure you keep the water source 6”-12” away from the foundation to give it a chance to spread out evenly. Keep an eye out for signs of foundation damage, and if you find any contact a local foundation company to help take care of the problems.


Julian De La Torre, founder and owner of Julian Construction, stated: “Keeping your home’s foundation in good repair is so important, it’s the first thing we look at when we go to a home with structural problems. And maintaining the foundation will prevent more serious problems from occurring in the future. Always get your home inspected on a regular basis. It’s important for the safety of your home.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, http://julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.com/blog/