Written by the Job Hound team. Last reviewed .
Why it matters
Most North Texas homes sit on clay soil that swells when wet and shrinks when dry. When it shrinks unevenly around a slab, it can contribute to cracks, sticking doors and sloping floors.
How to water
- Lay a soaker hose or drip line at least 8 inches out from the foundation, all the way around
- Let water drip slowly so it soaks in instead of running off
- Clay takes water in slowly, so run several short cycles with breaks rather than one long one
- Check moisture before watering again with a moisture meter or a long screwdriver: it slides easily into wet soil and won't push into dry clay
- Don't overwater. Soggy soil against the slab causes its own problems
Help the soil hold water
- Spread mulch, such as bark or compost, in beds along the foundation to slow evaporation
- Keep gutters and downspouts draining away from the house, so rain doesn't pool at the slab
Check your city's rules
Watering limits usually apply to sprinklers. Many DFW cities allow hand watering, soaker hoses or drip on other days to protect foundations and trees, but the rules differ, so check your water department.