During hot dry periods, in areas with expansive soils, dirt will start cracking around home foundations. In the Dallas and Fort Worth area, the cracks can become huge. In some parts of Irving and Grand Prairie, we have seen cracks that were up to 6 inches wide and went down as far as 20 feet.
As a homeowner, you want to know:
What causes dirt cracking around foundation – Cracks are caused by clay soils drying out. Expansive clay soils absorb water like sponges. Just like sponges, clays swell up as they absorb water. When a wet clay in a swollen state dries out, it shrinks. How much a clay shrinks depends on how much it swelled up. Some clays will double in volume as they go from a completely dry state to a saturated wet state. That means that when the same clay dries out it will shrink by 50%!
Conditions that cause drying cause cracking. Conditions that will dry out your yard include:
- Hot dry weather
- Low humidity
- Wind
- Trees
What do they mean – Cracking soils around foundations mean that soil in your yard is shrinking. If the soil shrinks enough, your house can settle. Why? The cracks are evidence of the soil shrinking sideways. Because we are standing on the soil we do not realize that the soil is also going down. In some areas with really expansive soils, such as Plano, McKinney, and Frisco, soils can dry and go down as much as 6 inches in a single summer!
What should you do about them – The only thing that you can do to fix large cracks in a clay soil or prevent soil from shrinking and cracking is to water the yard. During a hot dry summer, it can take a staggering amount of water to keep your yard from cracking. I have heard of people with water bills of $400.00 a month by trying to fix a large cracks in their clay soil! Since you most likely do not want to spend a fortune on watering, an alternative is to use soaker hoses.
How to Fix Large Cracks in Clay Soil
Understanding how to fix large cracks in clay soil is essential for homeowners in areas with expansive soils. Here are some tips to help you manage and fix these issues:
Regular Watering – Regular watering is crucial. Use soaker hoses to maintain consistent moisture levels in the soil. This helps prevent the soil from drying out and cracking further.
Mulching – Apply mulch aroung plants and trees. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and reduces evaporation.
Soil Amendments – Incorporate organic matter into the soil. Organic matter can improve soil structure and water retention.
Foundation Watering – Ensure your foundation is watered properly. This not only helps in preventing soil cracks but also reduces dirt cracking around the foundation.
For more information, watch our video on how to properly water a foundation or read about the Soils in Dallas.