The Seasonal Cycle of Foundation Movement
Your foundation moves with the seasons. Understanding the cycle helps you spot problems early and time your defenses.
The yearly arc
Spring rains swell the clay; summer drought shrinks it; fall rains swell it again. Movement risk typically peaks in late-summer drought.
Reading the signs by season
Sticking doors in August, then new cracks after the first big storm — the same home, opposite forces.
Timing your defenses
Water in drought, drain in the wet season, and measure with a free survey to set a baseline.
- Clay swells in rain, shrinks in drought.
- Movement risk peaks in late-summer drought.
- Time watering and drainage to the season.
Not sure how serious it is?
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