Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does an installation take?
A: 1 to 2 days, depending on the size of the house.

Q: How deep is pipe installed and where?
A: Pipe is installed 10 inches deep or deeper. Pipe is installed within 12 inches of the foundation. Pipe is installed around perimeter allowing moisture to migrate naturally under foundation called capillary attraction, this usually takes 60 to 180 days depending on the size of the house.

Q: Is vegetation disturbed?
A: In most cases we can work around it. If it is necessary for the vegetation to be removed we will remove it with the utmost care and will replant when installation is complete.

Q: Will my water bill increase?
A: Most people notice no increase in their water bills. On average we have seen $4.00 to $12.00 increase depending on the season.

Q: Is there a guarantee?
A: Yes, the system is guaranteed to stabilize the soil as long as the system is operating. The system is not guaranteed to lift the house, although in 95% of all installations it does. We cannot guarantee the house will come up, because we do not have all the history on the house i.e., when the house was built, was it built correctly, was all organic matter removed, was soil properly compacted before the foundation was poured, did a previous homeowner cut down a large tree next to the house leaving large tree roots to decompose under foundation leaving a void causing the house to settle, etc. 

Foundation watering systems only work in situations where the house has seasonal settlement caused by expansive clay soils. You must maintain a constant amount of moisture under your foundation, by doing so you will maintain expansive soil in the swell side of the cycle thus stopping the shrink and swell cycle you see in seasonal climate changes.

Q: Is maintenance required for the system?
A: Yes, see our page on service agreement.

Q: Will there be any work done in the interior of the house?
A: No, there is never any reason to jackhammer or cut concrete inside your house. We work only around the outside of your house.

Q: Do you install root barriers?
A: Yes. 90% of all homes require root barriers or root shields (details)