Methodology - How Soil Moisture Control Works
President, RainDrop Systems
July 27, 2009
Many people ask RainDrop how soil moisture control is different than traditional foundation repair methods. Having spent over 40 years in the foundation repair industry, RainDrop is well versed in both methodologies. Here is a how the two match up to one another.
Soil Moisture Control
In regions, such as the Gulf Coast, there are two main factors that affect the levelness of your foundation - expansive clay soils and drought. The residential foundation is built upon soil that expands and contracts based upon moisture levels in that soil. When it rains is expands, when there is drought it contracts. This causes movement in the soil underneath your foundation, and thus affects the levelness of your home. Over time, serious damage can be caused by the shifts in the soil. The concept of soil moisture control is based upon simple principals of science. When you create even moisture levels in the exposed soil around your home's foundation, you in essence "float" your foundation on the soil it is built upon - restoring places of unevenness and preventing settlement during times of drought. A properly design system can be very cost effective and offer significant results continually over a long period of time.
Traditional Repair Methods
Traditional foundation repair methods, such as poured piers or driven piles, are used to literally lift your home to create levelness. An area next to the foundation is excavated, the pier or pile is installed underneath the beam, and hydraulic jacks are used to lift your home. Depending on the severity of the settlement, your home may be raised anywhere from 1/2 inches to over 20 inches! Unlevelness that took years to occur is forcefully reversed within a matter of hours. When installed properly, piers or piles can be effective for a period of time in a selected area. However, this repair method offers no continued maintenance and can be very costly and invasive. The industry loosely regulates contractors, so it is advised that you do your due diligence and research any company you choose to hite. Ask for proof of insurance or bonding, up to three customer references, and a supplier to ensure that you are getting a quality firm.
RainDrop encourages you to examine both methodologies and ultimately make the right decision for you and your home.
Soil Moisture Control
In regions, such as the Gulf Coast, there are two main factors that affect the levelness of your foundation - expansive clay soils and drought. The residential foundation is built upon soil that expands and contracts based upon moisture levels in that soil. When it rains is expands, when there is drought it contracts. This causes movement in the soil underneath your foundation, and thus affects the levelness of your home. Over time, serious damage can be caused by the shifts in the soil. The concept of soil moisture control is based upon simple principals of science. When you create even moisture levels in the exposed soil around your home's foundation, you in essence "float" your foundation on the soil it is built upon - restoring places of unevenness and preventing settlement during times of drought. A properly design system can be very cost effective and offer significant results continually over a long period of time.
Traditional Repair Methods
Traditional foundation repair methods, such as poured piers or driven piles, are used to literally lift your home to create levelness. An area next to the foundation is excavated, the pier or pile is installed underneath the beam, and hydraulic jacks are used to lift your home. Depending on the severity of the settlement, your home may be raised anywhere from 1/2 inches to over 20 inches! Unlevelness that took years to occur is forcefully reversed within a matter of hours. When installed properly, piers or piles can be effective for a period of time in a selected area. However, this repair method offers no continued maintenance and can be very costly and invasive. The industry loosely regulates contractors, so it is advised that you do your due diligence and research any company you choose to hite. Ask for proof of insurance or bonding, up to three customer references, and a supplier to ensure that you are getting a quality firm.
RainDrop encourages you to examine both methodologies and ultimately make the right decision for you and your home.
What about this foundation watering stuff?
President, RainDrop Systems
July 3, 2009
Do you keep hearing about watering your foundation? Not convinced it's going to work? Have all your neighbors used traditional repair methods, so that leads you to believe you should too? Before you jump off that bridge, we encourage you to learn about the benefits of foundation watering. It's effective, affordable, and offers benefits long term.
Polling shows that the average Houstonian believes foundation repair to cost "around $10,000". We can't argue with that and many times it actually cost more! What many people don't know is that there is another option - foundation watering. This method is not only effective, but can save you thousands of dollars! RainDrop's MCSIII professional watering system sells for just $395 and produces results!
Over the 20 years that RainDrop's founders have been associated with foundation watering we have encountered dozens of engineers and builders who understand and confirm the value in foundation watering. And we've stood back and watched the systems work. We also understand that discovering your home may have a foundation problem can be weighty news and that making an educated decision is most important. We encourage you to do your due diligence to discover what is right for you and your home's condition.
We also hope that you give RainDrop a try. In all our experience and testing, we're sure you won't be disappointed.
Polling shows that the average Houstonian believes foundation repair to cost "around $10,000". We can't argue with that and many times it actually cost more! What many people don't know is that there is another option - foundation watering. This method is not only effective, but can save you thousands of dollars! RainDrop's MCSIII professional watering system sells for just $395 and produces results!
Over the 20 years that RainDrop's founders have been associated with foundation watering we have encountered dozens of engineers and builders who understand and confirm the value in foundation watering. And we've stood back and watched the systems work. We also understand that discovering your home may have a foundation problem can be weighty news and that making an educated decision is most important. We encourage you to do your due diligence to discover what is right for you and your home's condition.
We also hope that you give RainDrop a try. In all our experience and testing, we're sure you won't be disappointed.
A Record Breaking Summer 2009
Amanda Covington, President of RainDrop Systems
May 15, 2009
It comes as no surprise to many of us that 2009 is destined to be a record breaking year for drought in Texas yet again. You don't need to be a meteorologist to know that the heat is already sweltering. And it's only May! Not only does this pose problems for our agriculture, it also poses an issue for any homeowner in the Gulf Coast Region.
If you are not already familiar with foundation problems or foundation repair then I encourage you to get educated. While your home may have been fine through this last fall/winter season, be prepared for this summer to bring new brick cracks, sheet rock cracks, and sticking doors. Drought is the culprit to blame for foundation settlement in the Gulf Coast Region. Many folks would have you believe the only way to combat this is through costly and invasive foundation repair methods. However, the simple idea of soil moisture control can work wonders and offer consistent results for years down the line.
Don't wait until it's too late. Start a water regime today to maintain the moisture around the edge of your foundation, evenly and consistently. RainDrop's MCS III system is designed to do just this at an affordable price. Once you install the DIY system - No Digging, No Tools Required! - you'll never have to worry about remembering to water your foundation again. Click here to learn more.
If you are not already familiar with foundation problems or foundation repair then I encourage you to get educated. While your home may have been fine through this last fall/winter season, be prepared for this summer to bring new brick cracks, sheet rock cracks, and sticking doors. Drought is the culprit to blame for foundation settlement in the Gulf Coast Region. Many folks would have you believe the only way to combat this is through costly and invasive foundation repair methods. However, the simple idea of soil moisture control can work wonders and offer consistent results for years down the line.
Don't wait until it's too late. Start a water regime today to maintain the moisture around the edge of your foundation, evenly and consistently. RainDrop's MCS III system is designed to do just this at an affordable price. Once you install the DIY system - No Digging, No Tools Required! - you'll never have to worry about remembering to water your foundation again. Click here to learn more.
How does it work?
Evenly distributes water on a set schedule.
Consistently returns moisture to the soil around your home.
Automatically and reliably provides results this season and next!
Blog: Industry News
Methodology - How Soil Moisture Control Works
How is soil moisture control different than traditional repair methods?
What about this foundation watering stuff?
Do you keep hearing about watering your foundation?
A Record Breaking Summer 2009
Drought in Texas yet again.
