Foundation Movement After a Texas Drought
Drought is the hardest season on a Central Texas foundation. As clay dries and shrinks, slabs drop and crack — here’s why summer is peak movement season.
Shrinking clay pulls down
Expansive clay can lose several percent of its volume as it dries, withdrawing support from the slab edge. The result is settlement, brick cracks, and the sticking doors homeowners notice in August.
Trees make it worse
Large trees pull enormous amounts of moisture from the soil, deepening the dry zone near a foundation. It’s a leading cause of localized drought settlement in Austin.
Protect and measure
Foundation watering and drainage can soften the swing, and a free survey catches movement early. See our guide to watering your foundation.
- Clay shrinks in drought and drops the slab edge.
- Trees deepen the dry zone near foundations.
- Watering and drainage reduce the seasonal swing.
Not sure how serious it is?
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