Texas is bracing itself for another year of the drought that is now extending into its third season. Currently, only 12 percent of the entire state is NOT experiencing some level of drought conditions. In other words, almost 90 percent of the Lone Star State is under abnormally dry conditions! The U.S. Drought Monitor monitors rain levels across the country. When you look at that data on the map in this article, you can see specifically the areas that continue to struggle with a drought forecast.
Though the percentages are improved from last year, there is still much news:
- About 8% of the state is in an exceptional drought condition—the worse level.
- Almost half of the state (49%) is under the worse conditions levels (severe, extreme, exceptional).
- The large metropolitan areas of Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin are in the moderate/severe drought regions.
Forecasters don’t hold much hope for Texas for this year either. The U.S. Commerce Department is predicting that about three-quarters of our great state will see the drought either persist or intensify. The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center projects that Texas will experience a loss of 10 to 20 percent of its soil moisture content. When soil gets dry, it contracts and does not support the foundation as well. If enough soil pulls away from the foundation, the slab will undergo a lot more stress around the perimeter. That will cause the slab to crack because it’s looking for the soil to support it.
Those two factors—prolonged, severe drought and fluctuating soil moisture content are key indicators that homeowners must take care of their home foundations. The heat and lack of rain will shrink and crack the soil supporting your home’s slab.
Look for the signs of foundation trouble in your home. Here are some of the signs of trouble: your slab pulling down from your brick exterior; doors/windows are hard to open or close; a crack shows up in the sheetrock of your walls or ceilings, cracks in the grout of your exterior brick or a crack shows up in your flooring. Minimize the damage by calling for a free estimate as soon as you see any of these warning signs. Dawson Foundation Repair can help you determine whether these warning signs are a result of foundation failure.
The weather outside is always putting stress on our homes. The expected persistence of this prolonged drought in the areas we live will create problems. Be alert and look for the indications of problems. Act quickly and wisely. Your home is probably the most valuable possession you own.
Bell Bottom Piers are the highest quality method of foundation repair and we feel the homeowner should receive the best option available. Dawson Foundation Repair services homes and commercial businesses all over Texas. Call us for a free inspection and assessment of your home’s foundation security.