Скачать или смотреть DIY Home Maintenance | Drip Irrigation System

Uneven moisture levels causes shifting soils, which can damage your foundation. Installing a drip irrigation system is one great solution to this problem. Here's what to do:

Supplies: 2 soaker hoses, a backflow valve, 2 Y connectors, a hose timer, a filter and pressure regulator, and a trench shovel.

1. Locate a faucet that is relatively centralized on the home. You'll hook everything up to this faucet.
2. Hook up the backflow valve first, then one of the Y connectors, then the timer, then the filter and pressure regulator, then the second Y connector, and finally your soaker hoses.
3. Dig 6 inches trench approx. 18 inches away from the foundation all the way around the home.
4. Bury soaker hoses in this trench.
5. Set the timer. You want the soil moist, not muddy. If the ground starts pulling from the foundation, run the system longer.

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Transcript:

Did you know that about 25% of homes will face structural distress. That's a lot. One of the main culprits for this is shifting soils caused by uneven moisture levels. Thankfully, there are a couple of ways you can take control of those moisture levels to protect your foundation from shifting.

The first way is by installing a drip irrigation system. You see, when it gets hot outside, the soil along the perimeter of the home will dry up while the soil under the home will stay moist. This will cause the foundation to sag along exterior walls.

A drip line system is a low pressure, low volume watering system that can be buried around the home to maintain even moisture levels under the entirety of your home. Here's what you'll need. Two soaker hoses, a backflow valve, two Y connectors, a hose timer, a filter and pressure regulator, and a trench shovel.

The first step is locating a faucet that is relatively centralized on the home. Then you'll hook everything up to this faucet. First, the backflow valve, then one of your Y connectors, then the timer, then the filter and pressure regulator, then the second Y connector, and finally your soaker hoses, which will go two different ways around the house.

Now you'll dig a six inch trench, approximately 12 to 18 inches away from the foundation all the way around the home. You'll then bury your soaker hoses in this trench. By burying the hose, you'll save water and protect the hose, extending its life.

Now that your hoses are in the ground, you'll want to set your timer. Typically, you'll want to run the system two to three times a day for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, but this varies based on climate, soil, and time of year. The goal here is to have the soil be moist, but not muddy.

If you see the ground pulling away from the foundation, run the system longer. If you stick a screwdriver on the ground and it makes a slurp noise when you pull it out, then you'll want to decrease its runtime. Be sure to check these conditions at least once a quarter.

One final thing to make note of is that you'll want to replace your filter once a year. Seeing that repairing a foundation can cost tens of thousands of dollars, this DIY project is a no -⁠brainer. So protect life's biggest investment and keep that foundation nice and level.

And remember, for all of your home inspection needs, give Kissee Inspection Services a call at 469 -⁠789 -⁠1444. Or visit our website at kisseeinspections.com , we'll see you there.