While homeowners may be watering to keep their lawns green through hot, dry spells, they may also want to think about watering their home's foundation, said a University of Missouri housing and environmental specialist.
"Shifting ground can crack foundations, especially during drought conditions. This damage often shows up as cracks or separations around doors and windows or brick veneer," said Michael Goldschmidt , University of Missouri architect and design specialist.
Dry soil problems can be slowed by using a soaker hose to provide a consistent, but not flooding, water source to the soil surrounding the home's foundation, he said. The soaker hose should be placed around the perimeter of the house 8 to 18 inches outside the foundation.
Inspect the exterior side of the foundation for existing cracks before using a soaking hose. The cracks should be cleaned and filled with foundation waterproofing available in most hardware stores or lumberyards, he said.
Cracks also may appear in the cement slab of a carport or garage. Cracks in the carport area usually mean that the cracks do not end there, but extend through the house.
"A crack in brick or drywall does not necessarily mean there is a major problem, but if the crack begins to shift or form a gap, there might be a problem," Goldschmidt said.
Foundation cracks can result from the seesaw effect of the winter rains/snow followed by drought-like summer conditions on the soil. When soil is extremely wet, it expands and lifts the foundation. When the soil becomes extremely dry, it contracts and the foundation sinks.
Missouri's clay soil can absorb a lot of water, causing it to expand. When water evaporates, clay soil shrinks, forming cracks that can extend many feet deep and damage foundations, he said.
Proper drainage in wet months and keeping the soil moist in summer lessen the impact of stress on your home's foundation, Goldschmidt said.
Updated 8/23/06
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