I live in Texas, where the land is so dry it cracks. The perimeter of my house has developed cracks in the ground wide enough that I could fit my hand under the foundation.
I have set up a soaker hose system which should help to remedy the problem, but the question is should I fill those cracks with something, and if so, what should I use? Or will the soaker hoses be enough?
2006-07-24 03:43:39 · 6 answers · asked by Islandkiwi 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Added info: Yes, house is built on clay. Common in Texas. And it is a slab foundation. Basements are not common in Texas.
2006-07-24 04:25:27 · update #1
I ,too, live in area with clay soil. I was having big problems with
"sink holes" developing. Professional told me that when we had a wet period the clay soaked up the water and then when it dried out would shrink causing the holes. I had concrete worker come in and they filled the holes and then tamped it and put concrete walk all around the foundation. He also said if left on own could cause damage to foundation and structure. The holes in the yard, I just filled with dirt and resodded the grass.
This long drought is a lot of the problem now. It is a common problem in clay soil.
2006-07-26 18:06:43 · answer #1 · answered by early bird 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually there was someone else on here asking a question about a "soaker hose", and I didnt know what part of the Country she was from, but, now I know she must of been from Texas too...
Ok, when you "rewet" your soil, the soil will "go back together" up to a point. But, I would wait til it did, and then tamp the earth down "hard" with a tamper. (I would actually rent one of those tamper, gas powered, from a rent all store if you could and tamp the earth around your home, with out the soaker hose and get it so packed and hard that you wont need to worry about it "splitting).
I would do this once a year, for a couple of years, if need be, and forget about the soaker hose or any hose... This way, when the earth is packed 'hard' you wont get rain or anything under the house, and if need be, build it up a few inches past grade level and sloped away from the house, in case it rains hard, (some day) and tries to flood your home...
With the slope away from the home, it will lead any water away, so you wont flood, or get any damage into your basement...
I wish you well..
Jesse
2006-07-24 11:10:08 · answer #2 · answered by x 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm guessing this house is a slab. Yikes. I sure am glad I don't live in Texas. No offense mind you, but wildfires, drought... then torrential rains and flooding. Hoo boy!
My foundation is 6" off solid granite. God put good bones in the ground here in the northeast.
Can you excavate and add additional footings to stabilize the structure? If not, I'm out of answers.
2006-07-24 11:16:04 · answer #3 · answered by exretainedff 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in TX and don't have any cracks in the ground around my house. Did they build your house on top of clay?? I would definately fill them in with a good clean dirt with as little organic material as possible.
2006-07-24 11:07:59 · answer #4 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you should fill the holes, after awhile the holes will get bigger and after rain they will fill with water and your house could keep falling in slowly. Plus if the holes fill with water your basement (if you have one) could get flooded or your first floor could get flooded (if you don't have a basement).
2006-07-24 10:49:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seems like a good idea to me lol
2006-07-24 10:46:29 · answer #6 · answered by miss_gem_01 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋