It’s pretty common knowledge that drought can be tough on plants and wildlife, but a lot of homeowners are shocked to learn that a house can also be seriously damaged by even a year or two of persistent drought. You don’t have to be a Weather Channel addict to know that most of Texas is already in a state of severe to extreme drought. According to forecasts from NOAA and USDA research partners, conditions are expected to get even drier over the summer.
Luckily, there are TWO silver linings in this missing rain cloud.
First, there’s still plenty of time to prepare for the worst and there are practical steps you can take now to protect your home. Second, even if signs of drought damage are starting to show up, they’re relatively easy to recognize and a few simple repairs are often all you need to prevent things from getting worse… and more expensive.
This is your house in a drought
Most people expect to see lawns and gardens turning brown during a drought, but as the soil beneath your house starts to harden and shift there can be problems above ground as well. The trouble begins when a receding water table causes the ground to sink or pull away from your foundation. This can cause parts of the foundation to twist or collapse, leading to more serious (and costly) kinds of structural damage over time.
Early signs of drought damage
Cracks are usually the first warning that drought could be harming your foundation. Here are some of the most common places they’ll show up:
• Radiating out from the corners of windows and doors
• Along caulked surfaces or in drywall and plaster
• As a stairstep outline along concrete blocks
• In siding, brickwork or ground level flooring
• As gaps around cabinets, baseboards or exterior trim
• On exposed areas where the foundation meets exterior walls
A few superficial cracks happen normally as new building materials settle or cure, but if you’re seeing more than one of these symptoms or a recent change, it’s a good idea to have a qualified inspector give you an opinion. In general, slab on grade foundations are more resistant to drought damage than homes with basements, but they’re still at risk when soil starts to sink.
If foundation cracks are lengthening or widening, or if the surfaces on either side of the crack aren’t on the same plane when you run your fingers over them, it’s possible that your foundation is experiencing problems. Look for areas where soil or concrete may be pulling away from the foundation. Inside the house, doors and windows may be sticking or hardware may not line up.
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