SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The dry weather is causing some big problems for area homeowners: the ground under their homes is withering away.
Watching a beautiful green lawn transform into a brown, lifeless wasteland is something to which many homeowners across the Ozarks can relate. It's what's beneath the surface that should really be a concern.
"Structurally it's not safe at all. A big chunk of your house is falling away," said Basement and Foundation Repair of the Ozarks worker Joe Woods.
"Usually it's the southwest, west side of the house," said Structo owner Brad Corp. "That's the side the sun really bakes on all day long."
It's another casualty of severe drought conditions in the Ozarks.
"We've had some we went to this year; they couldn't even open the front door to talk to us. They had to come out the back door," said Woods.
Foundations are cracking. The ground is falling out from under them.
The dry weather is especially causing havoc for homeowners in southwest Missouri because of what's in the ground. Clay and rock can make the situation extremely problematic.
"With the clay, it's always moving. As dry as it gets, it's just shrinking up and shrinking up," said Woods.
The warning signs can be subtle at first.
"Usually you see cracks above windows and doors, doors don't work, hallway doors, you can't open up a window. That's your first sign," said Corp.
The end result can cost you an arm and a leg.
"There's just numerous different things that happen when it starts falling off that can cost you a lot of money," said Woods.
There are a few things you can do to help out the situation.
"Go get a black soaker hose -- a 50-foot soaker hose. Run it along the perimeter of your house," said Corp.
You want to make sure to not overwater.
"You don't want to get too much water around there because then you get water in your basement or crawl space," said Woods.
Even if you do fight back with water, it still might not save you in the end.
"When it's a really dry summer, it's just like watering your yard. It doesn't hurt to throw a little bit up around the house. Other than that there isn't a whole lot you can do," said Woods.
To add insult to injury, most homeowner's policies don't cover foundation issues. It can all come directly out of your pocket. Repairs can range from $2,000 to almost $20,000. That's not including the cosmetic work you might have to do once your foundation is repaired.
