If you own a house in Dallas-Fort Worth, you are familiar with the area’s unpredictable weather patterns. We are no strangers to early spring downpours or intense summer droughts. We experience heat, humidity, heavy rain and even snow. This is not only hard on you but your home as well, specifically, your foundation. In this article, we will discuss how the seasonal shifts in Dallas-Fort Worth weather impact your foundation and your house as a whole.
The Role of Expansive Clay Soil in DFW
The main reason North Texas has more foundation issues is due to the expansive clay soil we have. Expansive clay is just what it sounds like. When we experience long periods of rain and humidity, the soil becomes saturated with moisture. This makes it expand or grow larger. Dry conditions, which are not uncommon in Dallas, cause the soil to contract and shrink. This repetitive cycle of swelling and shrinking can stress a foundation continually.
Understanding Soil Composition
How we view soil and how we treat it is vital to understand. Clay is the top soil we find in most parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. It’s important to note that clay is not all created equal. However, it is the most expansive soil we see and most susceptible to moving when experiencing drastic changes in moisture content. North Texas is in a one-of-a-kind position where our climate is hot and dry. In addition, we have clay soil, and expansive soil is made up of mostly clay.
The Foundation-Soil Interaction
Your foundation is the support system of your house and the first line of defense when we have extreme weather. The soil your house is built upon is constantly shifting and so is the foundation. Soil movement is the leading cause of foundation cracks, settling, and upheaval in North Texas.
The Impact of Spring: Heavy Rains and Saturation
Every spring, most of Dallas-Fort Worth gets a lot of rain. This saturation of the soil by moisture is good for the landscape, but bad for home foundations.
Soil Expansion and Upheaval
Too much water for too long will cause that soil to swell up like a sponge. This upward force from the swelling expansive soil is called upheaval. If your soil has wet and dry spots, some areas of your foundation will be pushed up more than others. That uneven force on the foundation can cause a lot of stress on the foundation.
Signs of Damage from Excessive Moisture
After a rainy season, here are some signs of too much moisture:
- Door and window frames that stick or are out of square
- Bow in the middle of a slab floor
- Water in crawl spaces, basements, or along the perimeter of the slab
These are some telltale signs of expansive soil under your home pushing and moving against the foundation.
Don't Let a Small Crack Become a Costly Nightmare
Practical Mitigation Strategies for DFW Homeowners
A lot of you reading this can do to help your home. Staying proactive is half the battle with foundation issues.
Maintaining Consistent Soil Moisture
Try to keep the soil moisture content around your foundation as constant as possible throughout the year. In the summer, when there’s no rain for a while, water the ground near your foundation. Use a soaker hose about 18-24 inches away from the foundation to keep the soil moisture level as even as possible. This helps the soil not dry out and shrink too much.
Ensuring Proper Drainage
In the spring and fall months, the opposite is true. Your number one enemy is excess water. Gutters and downspouts must be clear, and use downspout extenders to force the water as far away from the foundation as possible. Also, the ground around your home should slope away from the foundation so water doesn’t pool around the edges.
The Importance of Professional Inspections
Doing DIY maintenance is great, but sometimes you need the professionals. Foundation experts can see things that you might not notice. Plus, they have special tools to test and measure your foundation for settlement, cracks, and other issues. Having your foundation inspected regularly can also help you spot warning signs before they become big problems.
Protect Your Investment with Professional Expertise
Now that you know how Dallas-Fort Worth’s seasonal weather conditions affect your foundation, you can better maintain and protect your biggest investment. All that moisture change from rain to drought puts huge stress on your foundation. But being proactive and acting early is the key to protecting your home from foundation issues.
If you notice any signs like new cracks, sticking doors, or floors out of level, don’t delay getting help. The faster you act, the faster the problem can be diagnosed. For all Dallas-Fort Worth homeowners, the Black Beard team has over 25 years of foundation experience. They know north Texas expansive soil intimately. And with state-of-the-art inspection, monitoring, and repair methods, Black Beard Foundation Repair can help you protect your home. Working with foundation experts like Black Beard is your best way to keep your home safe, level, and structurally sound for the long haul.
