Drought dries clay soil, and dry clay can let a foundation sink unevenly and crack. Lubbock's normal annual precipitation is about 19 inches, so dry soil is a regular risk here.
Texas A&M AgriLife says that when clay soil becomes extremely dry, the soil constricts and the foundation sinks. It sometimes sinks in different directions, which causes cracks. When the clay gets moisture again, it expands and lifts the foundation, sometimes closing the cracks.
The shifting shows up most inside the house. AgriLife points to doors that are hard to open and close, and wall cracks especially in the corners. Damage becomes serious when cracks break pipes, shift chimneys or crack or separate brick veneer.
AgriLife also gives a simple outdoor check. Walk around the house and look at the soil where it meets the foundation. A gap between soil and foundation means the soil is dry. No gap means moisture is good.
Lubbock does not get much rain. NOAA's 1991 to 2020 climate normals for Lubbock International Airport show 19.12 inches of annual precipitation and an average annual temperature of 60.7 degrees Fahrenheit. A normal is an average, and any single year can be much wetter or drier.
Soils in Lubbock County vary. In USDA's county soil survey the three most extensive soils by acreage are Acuff, Olton and Amarillo, together about 55 percent of the county. Acuff and Amarillo are classed as fine-loamy soils, and Olton is classed as fine, which means clayey.
Pullman soil, which covers about 8 percent of the county, shows why clay matters here. USDA's description says Pullman is 35 to 50 percent clay in its subsoil and develops cracks 5 millimeters or more wide that reach down about 33 inches. Pullman is a clay-rich soil that cracks when dry. The soil under your own lot may be different, so a site-specific evaluation is the only way to know.
Water the soil around the house evenly and slowly. AgriLife suggests a soaker hose or drip line placed 8 to 18 inches from the foundation, with a backflow preventer on the faucet and low water pressure. Run it for several hours on the first use, and add a timer for convenience. Do not water directly in a crack.
Yes. The Texas engineers' guidelines say steady soil moisture on all sides of the foundation may help, and they warn against excessive watering. Wet clay expands and lifts, so uneven watering is a risk too.
The same guidelines list other steps that keep moisture steady. Downspouts should carry roof water well past the foundation and planting beds. Where practical, the ground should slope away from the house at about 5 percent, which is 6 inches of drop over 10 feet, for the first 5 feet. Trees and large shrubs close to the foundation can dry the soil under it.
Call a Texas licensed engineer if cracks keep growing after you have steadied soil moisture, or if doors and windows stop closing. Call sooner if pipes, brick or a chimney show damage.
The AgriLife guide does not give a fixed schedule. It says to check for a gap between soil and foundation, and to water the ground if you see one. Run a soaker hose slowly for several hours when you do.
Sometimes. AgriLife says that when clay gets moisture again it expands and lifts the foundation, which sometimes closes cracks. That does not repair damage that already happened.
It depends on your city. AgriLife says some cities allow foundation watering under tight limits and tells owners to check their city's drought and water emergency plan.
They can. The engineers' guidelines say trees or large shrubs near a foundation may cause soil shrinkage under it.
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