Extend The Life Of Your Foundation

Completed Projects (an excellent maintenance tool for completed foundation projects)

Installing a water system to prolong the life of your foundation is simple for any do-it-yourselfer. Just follow these easy to understand instructions and you could be adding years to the life of your foundation.

MATERIALS:

1. Enough soaker hose (round black porous) to go around the house
2. A “Y” for the hose bib
3. A pressure reducer (10-20 lb. range)
4. Vacuum breaker
5. Timer (there are many 110V and battery operated timers available)

INSTALLATION:
The first thing to remember is to keep 12 – 18 inches away from the slab. It is best to bury the hose a couple of inches, but the system can be started with the hose on the surface of the ground.

1. Dig a trench 12-18 inches away from the slab and 2-8 inches deep all the way around the house, including patios.
2. Lay the soaker hose starting at the hose bib in both directions around the house.
3. Bury the soaker hose in the trench. Make sure to keep enough out of the ground to attach it to the “Y”.
4. Connect vacuum breaker before or after timer.
5. Connect the timer to the hose bib.
6. Connect pressure reducer to the timer.
7. Connect “Y” to the pressure reducer.
8. Finally, connect the two hoses to the “Y.

START UP:
You have the system in; you are ready to set the timer. We suggest at the initial start up setting the timer for 15 minutes twice a day, for instance at 7 am and again at 7 pm. During the dry summers you may have to set the timer for 3 – 4 times a day and cut back to once a day during wet winters. Some personal judgment needs to be used in the amount of time to operate the system. DO NOT OVER WATER.

This information is given just as a guide in the installation and the operation of your watering system. Also a physical guide for ensuring proper watering of your slab is to check your foliage and plants nearby. If these are healthy in appearance, then your slab will normally be healthy.

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