Understanding Drought Damage and Its Impact on Your Home
Have you recently noticed your door sticking more than usual? Or perhaps you’ve observed your siding buckling? You’re not alone. Jim Olivier’s Home Improvement has been inundated with calls from Lafayette-area homeowners facing similar issues, all pointing towards drought damage. Yes, you read that right – DROUGHT DAMAGE.
While many are familiar with the repercussions of flood and storm damage, drought damage remains a lesser-known adversary. According to drought.gov, Lafayette Parish has just endured its driest August on record. And while the reduced lawn mowing might have been a brief respite, the drought can wreak havoc on your home.
As I mentioned, we’ve received multiple calls from concerned homeowners. Some thought they needed a new door. Some were trying to make a warranty claim on their siding. Unfortunately, these issues are just symptoms of a more profound problem. There was nothing wrong with the product. The doors and siding themselves are in great shape.
There is a deeper issue (pun intended). The problem is drought damage. This current drought is causing foundations to shift.
Now, when I say drought damage, I’m not talking about dead shrubs and brown grass. I’m not even talking about doors and siding, though sticking doors are a pain, and buckling siding doesn’t look very nice. Shifting foundation is a far more critical, and expensive issue. You may have heard of homes “settling.” Droughts can cause and accentuate this issue at a rapid pace.
The Underlying Cause of Drought Damage
The principle is simple: dry soil contracts. With the sun’s relentless heat and a receding water table, the ground beneath our homes is losing moisture. As the soil contracts, gaps form. Naturally, due to gravity, your foundation settles into these gaps, leading to shifts. Over time, these shifts can crack your foundation, ushering in a host of expensive structural problems.
Recognizing the Signs of Drought Damage
- Sticking doors and/or windows: A result of misaligned frames due to foundation shifts.
- Uneven or cracked floors, driveways, and patios: As the ground shifts, these surfaces can become uneven or even hazardous.
- Buckling siding or cracking exterior walls: While initially just a cosmetic issue, continued shifting can compromise structural integrity.
- Broken Pipes: Like foundations, pipes can shift due to soil contraction.
Preventing Drought Damage: Simple Steps to Follow
Believe it or not, a straightforward solution to prevent foundation damage is watering your home. If dry soil is the primary issue, maintaining moisture around your home becomes crucial. Regularly watering the soil, ideally using a soaker hose placed a foot or two from the perimeter, is the best preventative measure.
However, be cautious. Overwatering or watering too close to your home can cause problems. A soaker hose ensures slow and steady watering. While recommendations vary—ranging from 20 minutes twice daily to 30 minutes every other day—all experts concur on avoiding midday watering and ensuring the soil remains moist without turning muddy.
Addressing Drought Damage Symptoms
If you spot any of the signs mentioned above, from sticking doors to visible wall cracks, it’s crucial to act swiftly. Consulting a Home Improvement expert, like those at Jim Olivier’s, can help mitigate further damage. The longer these issues are left unaddressed, the more significant the shift, leading to costlier repairs.
Some homes might only need temporary support, while others might necessitate pier repairs to rectify shifts. As with most home-related concerns, early intervention is cost-effective.
While we can’t influence the weather, we can certainly take measures to prevent drought damage. Regularly water the soil around your home. If you have queries or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out. While we don’t specialize in foundation repairs, we can certainly guide you to the right experts.
