As temperatures soar across Texas, the heat doesn’t just stress your energy bills, it can also do real damage to your home’s foundation. This is especially true in North Texas, where most homes are built on clay soil, which expands when wet and contracts when dry. The resulting movement can cause foundations to shift, leading to cracks and long-term structural damage.
“North Texas has a lot of ground activity because of clay soil properties,” Keller Williams Realtor Mical Hagos previously told Local Profile. “It’s essential that you properly care for your foundation or your property may shift more than usual. If you start seeing cracks larger than around a dime in width, then that’s a problem.”
It's Not Just About Dry Soil
While dry conditions are a major concern, excess moisture can be equally damaging. According to Hagos, plumbing issues are a common cause of foundation problems.
“Make sure your plumbing systems are working properly because any leaks in water or sewer lines can add water under the foundation and cause soil movement,” Hagos said. “Maintain gutters and downspouts to ensure water flows away from the house when it rains, and make sure there’s no standing water near the downspouts.”
Hagos also noted that watering the foundation directly is usually unnecessary. Regularly watering lawns and plants typically provides sufficient moisture for maintaining soil stability around the home.
How to Water Clay Soil the Right Way
Brad Voss and Chase T. Brooke, agents with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, specialize in educating homeowners on best practices for managing clay soil. One of the most common mistakes they see is improper watering.
“The water infiltration rate for clay soil is low and slow,” Voss explained. “To properly hydrate clay soil, you have to water for a short amount of time, let the water soak in, and then repeat. If you water your lawn for thirty minutes straight, twenty minutes of that water will flow off and be lost.”
Voss also emphasized the importance of a healthy root system. “Let’s say you had a Bermuda grass lawn with a solid root system that’s 6 to 12 inches deep,” he said. “Those roots help keep the soil in place, and the lawn might only need to be watered three to five times over the course of a summer.” Overwatering can lead to shallow roots, which struggle to access moisture during extreme heat.
Local Resources for Smarter Homeownership
Homeowners in North Texas don’t have to figure it all out on their own. Extension agents like Voss and Brooke are available to help assess issues and offer educational support.
“Texas A&M AgriLife extension agents are educators,” Brooke said. “We aren’t the ones to fix a specific problem, but we can take a look at the problem and tell you what might be causing it. Then you can consult with an expert to properly diagnose and fix it.”
Many local cities also offer classes and resources on topics like irrigation, foundation care and landscape management. Homeowners can check their respective city’s website for schedules and recommendations specific to their area.
The Bottom Line
With North Texas summers bringing intense heat and unpredictable rainfall, understanding the challenges of clay soil is critical for maintaining a stable home foundation. Proper watering techniques, regular inspections and use of local educational resources can help homeowners prevent costly repairs and protect their investments for the long term.
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