Home and Auto Foundation affected by the drought?

ZepSinger · 02-21-2013, 09:27 AM

Was wondering if anyone else has had foundation issues with the ongoing severe drought conditions over the last year.

Living about 10 miles east of Lawrence, the soil here is mostly clay. According to those who know more about soil and drought than I do, clay shrinks alot during drought conditions; and when your house is built on this type of land, that's not a good thing. Over the course of the last year, the right side of my house started sinking, causing the foundation to crack, and that side of the house was lower than the middle by almost 2". Kind of like the Titanic when it split in half before going down. :-(

So, I had to have that side of the house piered. Basically, they drive a set of steel piers down to to the bedrock (in my case that was 7') to jack up and support that side of the house. Not cheap ($8500 for my home), and NOT covered by homeowner's insurance.

Positives- at least my home is now pretty much drought-proof for the future. Also, I already had a working relationship with the foundation repair company owner(had done his website), so it could have been FAR more costly(I've heard of homes costing 20-30 grand to do this repair).

Was curious to see if anyone else here has had similar problems.

Z

Lex Luthor · 02-21-2013, 09:42 AM

I had to replace my driveway and sidewalk (about $4K), but so far my foundation has been OK.

I'm glad to see the snow today for this very reason.

**ptlyon** · 02-21-2013, 09:44 AM

Zep - hadn't happened to me (knock on wood) but know of a couple herethat happened to this last fall. Same deal. The house is in the old part of town too, it's like 100 years old, and now this happens.

Sorry man wish you the best!

Strongside · 02-21-2013, 09:45 AM

Yeah, we had some pretty good shifting this year. Cracks in some of the walls, doors not closing properly, etc.

Graystoke · 02-21-2013, 09:47 AM

How many trees near your house? Competition for water?
I had never heard of this before and just quickly scanning the Net the Midwest is getting hammered by foundation failure.

Fish · 02-21-2013, 09:53 AM

A good homesite evaluation is an incredible investment these days. Or call your local FFA chapter, and they might come out and do one for free.

Fat Elvis · 02-21-2013, 09:59 AM

People need to run a soaker hose around their house to keep the soil around the foundation wet/damp to prevent this very problem. (Trick I learned from a concrete/foundation guy.)

JohninGpt · 02-21-2013, 10:00 AM

I have some cracks in my walls and the inside doors are kind of wonky. I haven't got a repair estimate yet, I don't imagine it will be cheap.

BlackHelicopters · 02-21-2013, 10:06 AM

Just pee next to your foundation as often as possible.

displacedinMN · 02-21-2013, 02:48 PM

You are not alone. There have been many articles in the MPLS paper of this happening in places that are usually wet-near swamps but dry because of the drought.

They are saying to take the drain spouts off the house and water you flowers more frequently when appropriate.

I hope everything will be ok.
Maybe even run the hose if the temp is ok.

ArrowheadMagic · 02-21-2013, 03:01 PM

Soaker hoses.

Warrior5 · 02-21-2013, 03:11 PM

Zep,
I have this problem now... back half of house sunk, and homeowner insurance doesn't cover.

Got an estimate from Dry Basement for piering; $16,800. Am going to get a few more estimates before committing that much $.

Wish I had the soaker advice before this...

ZepSinger · 02-21-2013, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior5

Zep,
I have this problem now... back half of house sunk, and homeowner insurance doesn't cover.

Got an estimate from Dry Basement for piering; $16,800. Am going to get a few more estimates before committing that much $.

Wish I had the soaker advice before this...

I used a company called Arrow Foundation- very reasonable. Ask for Mark, tell him Ron his web guy sent you. His warrantly is transferrable to the next owner too (very important).

**Iowanian** · 02-21-2013, 03:41 PM

A lot of people have foundation issues due to the drought.

It seems to be almost as bad as the soil hydrates and begins to expand after all of that contraction. It's causing water leaking issues, cracking etc for several people. I've had a couple of issues on my house as well. Sucks.

Warrior5 · 02-21-2013, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZepSinger

I used a company called Arrow Foundation- very reasonable. Ask for Mark, tell him Ron his web guy sent you. His warrantly is transferrable to the next owner too (very important).

Will contact them... much appreciated!

02-21-2013, 09:27 AM
ZepSinger Veteran Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $10004900	Foundation affected by the drought? Was wondering if anyone else has had foundation issues with the ongoing severe drought conditions over the last year. Living about 10 miles east of Lawrence, the soil here is mostly clay. According to those who know more about soil and drought than I do, clay shrinks alot during drought conditions; and when your house is built on this type of land, that's not a good thing. Over the course of the last year, the right side of my house started sinking, causing the foundation to crack, and that side of the house was lower than the middle by almost 2". Kind of like the Titanic when it split in half before going down. :-( So, I had to have that side of the house piered. Basically, they drive a set of steel piers down to to the bedrock (in my case that was 7') to jack up and support that side of the house. Not cheap ($8500 for my home), and NOT covered by homeowner's insurance. Positives- at least my home is now pretty much drought-proof for the future. Also, I already had a working relationship with the foundation repair company owner(had done his website), so it could have been FAR more costly(I've heard of homes costing 20-30 grand to do this repair). Was curious to see if anyone else here has had similar problems. Z
Posts: 2,740

02-21-2013, 09:42 AM	#2
Lex Luthor MVP Join Date: Mar 2010 Casino cash: $10022775	I had to replace my driveway and sidewalk (about $4K), but so far my foundation has been OK. I'm glad to see the snow today for this very reason.
Posts: 16,709

02-21-2013, 09:44 AM	#3
ptlyon Bono & Grbac wasn't enough Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sioux City, IA Casino cash: $13173829	Zep - hadn't happened to me (knock on wood) but know of a couple herethat happened to this last fall. Same deal. The house is in the old part of town too, it's like 100 years old, and now this happens. Sorry man wish you the best! __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Advertise here: $19.99 a month
Posts: 33,468

02-21-2013, 09:45 AM	#4
Strongside Mahomes or GTFO Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: KC Casino cash: $6174282	Yeah, we had some pretty good shifting this year. Cracks in some of the walls, doors not closing properly, etc. __________________
Posts: 13,192

02-21-2013, 09:47 AM	#5
Graystoke MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Driftless Region Casino cash: $995564	How many trees near your house? Competition for water? I had never heard of this before and just quickly scanning the Net the Midwest is getting hammered by foundation failure.
Posts: 8,687

02-21-2013, 09:53 AM	#6
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2368919	A good homesite evaluation is an incredible investment these days. Or call your local FFA chapter, and they might come out and do one for free. __________________
Posts: 47,456

02-21-2013, 09:59 AM	#7
Fat Elvis Sexiest Athlete Join Date: Apr 2001 Casino cash: $1591925	People need to run a soaker hose around their house to keep the soil around the foundation wet/damp to prevent this very problem. (Trick I learned from a concrete/foundation guy.)
Posts: 12,381

02-21-2013, 10:00 AM	#8
JohninGpt Dammit Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Busted Stick, IT Casino cash: $5418304	I have some cracks in my walls and the inside doors are kind of wonky. I haven't got a repair estimate yet, I don't imagine it will be cheap.
Posts: 4,161

02-21-2013, 10:06 AM	#9
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $2800588	Just pee next to your foundation as often as possible. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
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02-21-2013, 02:48 PM	#10
displacedinMN It was not a fair catch Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Correcting papers Casino cash: $3032630	You are not alone. There have been many articles in the MPLS paper of this happening in places that are usually wet-near swamps but dry because of the drought. They are saying to take the drain spouts off the house and water you flowers more frequently when appropriate. I hope everything will be ok. Maybe even run the hose if the temp is ok. __________________ #investigatecarlcheffers
Posts: 36,211

02-21-2013, 03:01 PM	#11
ArrowheadMagic Veteran Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OPKS Casino cash: $8203465	Soaker hoses.
Posts: 3,851

02-21-2013, 03:11 PM	#12
Warrior5 Stram was Cav Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Chiefsplanet Casino cash: $9174010	Zep, I have this problem now... back half of house sunk, and homeowner insurance doesn't cover. Got an estimate from Dry Basement for piering; $16,800. Am going to get a few more estimates before committing that much $. Wish I had the soaker advice before this... __________________ The best pass defense is attacking the passer.
Posts: 5,232

02-21-2013, 03:41 PM	#14
Iowanian Supporter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Utopia Casino cash: $4818454	A lot of people have foundation issues due to the drought. It seems to be almost as bad as the soil hydrates and begins to expand after all of that contraction. It's causing water leaking issues, cracking etc for several people. I've had a couple of issues on my house as well. Sucks.
Posts: 61,511