I'm in the Sacramento suburbs where homes mostly have slab foundations, built around the 80s. I've noticed that many houses have shrubs or lawns very close to them, with bubblers set up only a few inches away from the foundation. Isn't water bad for foundations? Why would people have sprinklers so close? Is there a reason they think it's safe, like maybe the amount of water isn't enough to cause damage? I'm redoing my sprinklers—should I be moving them further from the foundation?
3 Answers
It looks like the idea is to spray the water away from the house instead of directly at the foundation. So as long as the aim is right, it might not be as much of a concern as it seems.
In some regions, the soil type plays a big role. In areas with clay, homeowners often have to water their foundations to avoid shifting. I wouldn’t stress too much about it if the setup directs the water properly.
True! But you'd want to check how much water those bubblers are putting out. If it's too close to your foundation, it might still be worth adjusting.
It’s likely a mix of factors, but in places like Texas or clay-heavy areas, people usually water foundations every few days in the summer to prevent cracking from drying soil. In Sacramento's heat, it’s not uncommon to do the same - might be why you see those sprinklers.
Ah, I updated my post to clarify they're actually bubblers going right next to the side yard, so the water is really close to the foundation.