How important is it to keep your foundation moist in North Texas?

Question

I have heard that there is a real problem with settling due to the clay soil in my area and that this can be avoided by keeping the foundation moist. Is it enough to water every other day for about 18 minutes in this extreme heat (over 100 everyday for the last month). And how often should you water in the winter when the Bermuda grass goes completely dormant from Nov 15 to March 15. I have a poured pier foundation and a very thick slab but I have heard there are a lot of problems with people's foundations here and I want to do what is prophylactically necessary in order to insure that I do not have any problems. Any educated or experienced suggestions would be helpful. Thanks.

Answer 1

It is important to water; otherwise your foundation can crack and you will have to deal with foundation problems and repairs. Watering the foundation every other day in the summer when the temperature gets over 90 degrees should be sufficient. I recommend using soaker hoses placed 2-3 feet away from the foundation. We have Bermuda grass also and never water it in the winter down here in Texas. All grass is suppose to go dormant in the winter; it is normal and will not cause any harm to the grass. In North Texas start watering the grass in mid-February; it's good to start getting it moistened in advance like that. If you have water restrictions like us you may not be able to water it as often. However, even with water restrictions, in some areas one can water as often as they like with a hand held hose. I recommend contacting your City Hall or water department to see what water restrictions you have and what is allowed. If you don't and you get fined the fines are very steep.

Answer 2

Hello, I live along the Texas coast where we have what we call "black gumbo" clay soil. It dries out rather badly and cracks for some distance down during hot, dry summers. (Actually, you'd be watering the ground touching the slab, not the slab per se.) If you have a slab that was poured over concrete piers then, because the piers extend far down into the moist, non-shrunken clay soil, then you don't need to worry much. I don't know how much or how long you should water, but I water into the gap between the dry soil and the slab so that the water runs down into the area where the slab lies over the ground. The idea is to keep that area moist (not so much the surface of the sod). If you are worried about gaps forming below the slab, you might consider putting some sand in the gap between the slab and the sod and washing it down as you "water the slab."

Answer 3

I live in North Texas. In the extreme heat every other day is good. The grass should be fine if you water once a week while dormant.

Answer 4

I love it really moist.