This is the third in my "Water, water everywhere...." series. To read previous posts, simply click here and links will be shown in a new window.
In part one, I discussed understanding your roof since it is a critical component to keep water out of the house.
In part two, I discussed getting all rainwater off your roof while it's falling from the sky.
In part three, I'd like to discuss your landscaping since how much water lands on the ground, either from the sky or from your irrigation system, can affect the structural integrity of your foundation, which then affects the floors, walls, and ceilings.
Once you get gutters and downspouts on your roof (see part two), make sure that your downspouts have extensions on them to move that water away from the foundation, preferably at least six feet.
If you live in an area where you have a basement, water can seep into your basement, causing problems with the basement walls which then translate to problems, once again, with the floors, walls, and ceilings.
To see how well water-saturated ground supports your house, set a full glass of water on a square of jello. You'll notice that the glass and the jello jiggle and shake. That's what your foundation is doing when the ground is over-saturated. There are different construction methods for foundations depending on weather conditions in the area, but those are not within the scope of this post.
Here are two important tips if you have an irrigation system watering your landscape:
Early in the morning before the sun comes up, such as around 4:00 a.m. This helps prevent evaporation, letting the water soak into the ground. However, since standing water around plants and in the nooks and crannies of branches, leaves, and flowers can cause them to rot, when the sun comes up, any water in those places will evaporate.
Depending on what you are watering, it's generally better to water less often but for a longer time than to water every day for just a few minutes. The reason is because watering longer will let the water soak further into the ground, thereby encouraging plant roots to grow further into the ground. Eventually, then, the plant will have a larger root system that can absorb enough water if you have to skip a day or if your area suffers an extended drought that includes water rationing.
When it comes to hardscape (walkways, driveways, patios, and porches) around our homes, it's best not to install them directly against the foundation. Rather, leave a gap of 6-24 inches between the concrete or asphalt and the foundation. That doesn't mean you should plant bushes and flowers in that gap. That gap is to help prevent water from standing on the concrete next to your foundation and exterior wall; it will soak down into the ground, but you must also have gutters and downspouts installed. If the bare soil is ugly, install a mulch or rock ground covering and place some flower pots in strategic areas to help with aesthetics.
Now it's time for our quiz: Following are some pictures. Do they exhibit good practices or bad practices? Answers are in the mouseovers.
12 Comments on San Diego home inspections: Water, water everywhere.... - Landscaping
AUG
18
2009
I keep waiting for the mouse over and nothing.
My Dad always said to water on a overcast day or after the sun went down. Of course, he could plant a rock and grow a boulder. I kept trying to get him to plant his pocket change.
My mouse=over didn't work either (maybe because of the cat on my lap??). It is so funny to read this, as I was just dealing with some landscaping today due to the extended drought in this area. We are still on a once-a-week sprinkler restriction (and only between midnight and 4 a.m.) even though there has been a bit of rain in the last month. Thus in the full heat of summer, plants are dying -- there is only so much you can do with this long a drought! White stones are nice... :)
I guessed right on all of them! (No problems with the mouseover) The hubs is always interested in what you guys do, and listens carefully to what you have to say. He often follows and makes an effort not to be a pest, but a student...
Darn it! My mouse-over thingie isn't working >=I But I can probably guess most of them anyway. Florida is not exactly "dry". LOL And Zoey is looking especially relaxed today =^.^=
And from what I can tell, only 2 of those photos look like they're done properly. Although one is questionable. Did I get that much right?
Russel OK my only questions is who the heck planted a TREE next to their home. Yes I am sure it was nice 20 some years ago but did they not think ahead?
Hey, Folks - Since the mouseovers aren't working for some people, here are the answers:
Picture 1 - Bad. Australian tree ferns require lots of water and grow very large.
Picture 2 - Bad. Elephant ear and baby tears require lots of water.
Picture 3 - Bad. Raised planters should not be against your foundation and exterior walls.
Picture 4 - Bad. Trees should never be planted in foundation planters.
Picture 5 - Bad. The dirty siding is from splashing water, indicating that there are no gutters on the roof.
Picture 6 - Bad. Downspout terminates in a foundation planter.
Picture 7 - Good. This guy sitting on rocks requires no watering.
Picture 8 - Bad. This yard is entirely too wet.
Picture 9 - Bad, stains on siding indicate no gutters; good, gap between walkway and foundation.
**********
Hey, Jack - I'm not sure why mouseovers aren't working for you. Perhaps they are frightened by huge, big, monster dogs.
Hey, Shoshana - Mice don't like cats, so I'm pretty sure the mouseovers are afraid of coming out when you have your cat on your lap. When you live somewhere like St. Petersburg, a prolonged drought will kill many of the plants that depend on all that rainfall that you normally get. There's just not much you can do for the plants that require lots of water under those conditions.
Hey, Cheryl - Someone actually listens to us? LOL
Hey, Susan - I really like going through my huge picture collection looking for good pictures to use as illustrations.
Hey, Lisa - I suspect you got all of them right since there are 1½ that are good. So I'm pretty sure you got the one that is half good and half bad as "questionable."
Hey, Caren - Whenever I look for good yard sculptures, I always find them in someone else's yard.
Hey, Larry - People here like to plant palms, eucalyptus (in the picture), and ficus in their foundation planters, probably the three worst trees for that location. I don't understand why people don't comprehend that trees grow, and many of them grow big, real big.
Hey, Chris Ann - My wise old grandmother used to hand water late at night and early in the morning. Late at night, she would water the roots. Early in the morning she would wash off the leaves and branches. She had the most beautiful yard in the City of Kingsville, and I learned a lot from her, notwithstanding the fact that she only had a first-grade education.
Thanks for writing such an interesting article. It's really good to know about the real estate and home decoration and renovation in detail. A beautifully groomed lawn and garden are in the dreams of most homeowners and whether their property is spacious or a postage stamp, getting that look they desire is going to require a big investment of time and labor intensive work, so a good alternative is hiring a reliable San Diego Landscaping company. San Diego landscaping company will not only give you more free time and save you from back injury but a well manicured yard can also raise the value of your home.
The landscaping business is a large one and continues to grow, though having your property professionally landscaped can be costly. Anyone with a pickup truck, a few shrubs and a lawn mower can claim to be a landscaping company so you need to use caution.
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This is the third in my "Water, water everywhere...." series. To read previous posts, simply 
;)
;)
I keep waiting for the mouse over and nothing.
My Dad always said to water on a overcast day or after the sun went down. Of course, he could plant a rock and grow a boulder. I kept trying to get him to plant his pocket change.