Ground Cracks Threaten Foundations During Drought

ROYSE CITY (CBSDFW.COM) – The lack of rain means the Texas soil is parched, and North Texans are starting to see cracks in the ground that threaten the foundation of their homes.

Kelly Easley lives on an acre-and-a-half property in Royse City.

He said there's typically grass growing behind his home, but the only things growing now are the cracks.

"Some of them are as much as four foot deep and that's four foot dropping this down there," Easley said, easing his yardstick into the deep ground crack. "I can probably force it further."

His entire backyard is covered with cracks and crevices, and it's all because the ground is shrinking like an oversized, dried-out sponge.

"I stepped in the crack the other day the grass is growing over; my foot went down ... far and I twisted my ankle," he said.

Some of the cracks are measured six inches across.

The Texas AgriLIFE Extension Service in Tarrant County has heard reports about this occurring across the region.

Steve Chaney with the agency said it can be a costly problem, especially if the cracks are near a home's foundation.

"Damages to foundation can (cost) minimal $3,000 to $4,000, up to $15 to $20,000," Chaney said.

Chaney said the dryness and ground shifts are every bit as bad as what North Texas experienced in the 1980 heat wave, which remains the longest streak of triple-digit temperatures, hitting the mark 42 days in a row. Thursday marked the 34th in a row this year.

Easley, however, isn't too worried.

He said the cracks haven't appeared near his foundation. He just hopes they don't get any wider.

"It will take seven to eight inches to make this soil go back together now," Easley said.

Chaney said he's fighting the problem with a good-old fashioned soaker hose. He said he uses it once a week for about 45 minutes.

And in most cases, he said it's not covered under the water restrictions.