Protecting Your Lawn and Foundation Through Drought Restrictions in DFW

1. Protecting Your Lawn and Foundation Through Drought Restrictions in DFW www.sprinklerdoctordfw.com

2. THE SPRINKLER DOCTOR DFW often experiences drought conditions, which threaten beautiful lawns and strong foundations. When water is limited, it is hard to keep your yard looking good and your house safe. This guide will help homeowners implement easy ways to protect their landscape and foundation during dry periods in the DFW area. Understanding DFW's Drought and Water Restrictions The DFW region frequently undergoes extended dry periods, commonly referred to as drought cycles. Also, the local soil is mostly clay, which is highly reactive to moisture changes. It expands when wet and shrinks when dry. This movement can harm both your lawn and your home's foundation. To conserve limited water supplies, municipalities often enforce water restrictions during these times. Sometimes, only hand-watering is allowed. Drip irrigation might have different rules. Always check your local city's laws - Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, and Frisco might have different rules. These measures protect water resources during drought stress and help maintain essential water availability for the community. Protecting Your Foundation During Drought During a drought, you can take several steps to protect your home's foundation. Consider the following to protect your home’s foundation. 1. The "Soaker Hose" Strategy (Foundation Irrigation) This system waters deeply around your home, which helps stabilize soil moisture levels. When moisture is stable, it stops the foundation from shifting. To set it up, place the soaker hose about 6 to 12 inches from your foundation and ensure it waters evenly all around your house. www.sprinklerdoctordfw.com (682) 225 2265 blake@SprinklerDoctorDFW.com

3. THE SPRINKLER DOCTOR Frequency and duration: Water between shorter intervals several times a week to get the best results. As an example, it is better to irrigate 20- 30 minutes twice or three times a week rather than once a long time. Check soil moisture: Monitor the moisture in the soil. Do not just use a schedule. The soil is to be kept uniformly moist, not wet, but not dry. 2. Landscaping for Foundation Protection Proper grading helps with foundation protection. Make sure your yard slopes away from your house. This sends rainwater away from your foundation. Avoid big trees: Large trees should not be planted near the house. They have extensive root systems that can dry up the soil under your foundation, making it more prone to shifting. Benefits of mulch: Putting mulch around landscaping beds around the house will help stabilize the soil's moisture and temperature. Mulch also decreases evaporation and keeps the soil more constant. www.sprinklerdoctordfw.com (682) 225 2265 blake@SprinklerDoctorDFW.com

4. THE SPRINKLER DOCTOR 3. Monitor for Warning Signs Look for internal signs that could indicate a problem. Look for cracks inside your home. Check walls and ceilings. Doors and windows might start to stick. Outside, look for cracks in your brick. See if there are gaps around windows or doors, or maybe a chimney might begin to lean. Call an expert: If you see these signs, call a foundation expert. They can check your home and suggest fixes. Protecting Your Lawn During Drought Restrictions With the right technique, you can protect your lawn during drought restrictions. Consider the following: 1. Water Early in the Morning Water between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. to minimize water loss through evaporation. Early watering will allow moisture to reach the roots before the heat of the day increases. It also reduces the risk of lawn disease due to lengthy wet conditions. Never water during any other time other than the designated watering code in your city. www.sprinklerdoctordfw.com (682) 225 2265 blake@SprinklerDoctorDFW.com

5. THE SPRINKLER DOCTOR 2. Mow at the Right Height Maintain your lawn a bit higher when it is dry. Taller grasses cover the ground, prevent evaporation, and promote more extensive root growth. Never mow off more than one-third of the blade of the grass at a time. It is always better to use a sharp-blade mower to minimize stress on the grass. 3. Use Mulch Around Plants and Beds Add 2-3 inches of mulch to the shrubs, trees, and flower beds. Mulch regulates the soil's temperatures, prevents excessive moisture loss, and deters weeds. Organic mulch, such as bark or wood chips, will decompose over time and enhance the soil's quality. 4. Focus on Deep, Infrequent Watering Water 2-3 times per week as profoundly as possible instead of lightly every day. This practice promotes the growth of roots deeper, and the lawn becomes more drought-tolerant. To get the clay soil to absorb water more effectively, you can consider the cycle-and-soak technique of watering and then leaving it to dry. www.sprinklerdoctordfw.com (682) 225 2265 blake@SprinklerDoctorDFW.com

6. THE SPRINKLER DOCTOR 5. Avoid Fertilizing During a Drought Fertilizing will encourage growth, which will require more water, which is not advisable when there is drought. Postpone fertilization until the restrictions are over. Where required, apply a slow-release formula and then water the grass well to avoid burning it up. Long-Term Drought Preparedness for DFW Homeowners Being prepared for drought helps protect your home and saves you money later. Here are ways to ensure that you are prepared for this period. Regular Foundation Inspections: Check your foundation periodically to see whether it is moving or not. Check new cracks, doors or windows that are sticking or floors that are not level. Early resolution of problems eliminates structural problems in the long-term. Landscape Design for Water Efficiency: Make your landscape water- wise. Plant drought-tolerant plants that do not need as much water. Plants that require similar levels of water should be grouped together to reduce wastage and make the irrigation process easier. Understanding Your Soil Type: It is important to know your soil type to know how and when to water. DFW has a prevalence of clay soil which shrinks and swells. This knowledge will enable you to select superior landscaping practices and keep the moisture levels uniform. Developing a Consistent Watering Routine: Maintain soil moisture throughout the year even during non-drought times. Frequent watering of the foundation prevents soil erosion and maintains your house structurally sound. www.sprinklerdoctordfw.com (682) 225 2265 blake@SprinklerDoctorDFW.com

7. THE SPRINKLER DOCTOR Conclusion The risk of drought conditions in DFW can be dangerous to lawns and foundations, but prevention can be the difference. Knowing your soil, obeying local watering restrictions, and keeping a regular irrigation schedule will help you save your home and landscape against long-term destruction. Contact The Sprinkler Doctor now for professional assistance in irrigation planning and lawn maintenance during drought restrictions. www.sprinklerdoctordfw.com (682) 225 2265 blake@SprinklerDoctorDFW.com