Experts Suggest Watering To Protect Home From Effects Of Drought

Until the rain comes, our trees, plants and even your home could be in danger.

In the cold, winter months it's easy to stay tucked away inside, until the warmth of spring rolls around again. It's a time of year that's not typically associated with a drought.

But warm or cold, a winter drought is just as serious.

Signs of winter stretch as far as the eye can see. Most yards have gone from green to that dormant brown and leaves have fallen from the trees.

"It's a lot easier to forget about your plants this time of year," said Dan Sinnett of Southwood Landscape and Nursery.

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Right now, we're about 14 inches short on rainfall for the year.

"We're still in a drought, plants still need water, we've still got to take care of our plants this time of year," Sinnett said.

Since most plants are dormant right now, the lack of moisture may not be evident until sometime in the spring. And, by then, it may be too late.

"You're still in a situation where you're wanting the plants to establish roots and dry soil and freezing temperatures will hurt your plants come springtime, for sure," Sinnett said.

Until the rain comes, the only way to make sure your plants and trees survive the winter is to brave the cold yourself with a garden hose.

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But it's not just the landscaping that's taking a hard hit; so are our homes.

"The soil contracts and lets down, therefore lets the foundations move, and that's what the problems have created," said David Eden, of Eden Structural Solutions.

Eden said his company is getting more calls than ever before from folks whose foundation has dried out and cracked.

"You'll see doors not working, windows that are out of alignment, you'll see cracks above the doors," Eden said.

He said there's one easy way to help curb the problem.

"Watering the foundation sounds kind of idiotic, but it actually does help," Eden said.

But even with watering, Eden said the drought is so far along, a soaking rain is really the only thing that will truly rehydrate the soil.

News On 6 Meteorologist Travis Meyer says it will take 10 to 12 inches of soaking rain to bring us out of the drought.

When you get out to do your watering, make sure you remember to unhook the hose and take it inside afterward, otherwise it could freeze when the overnight temperatures fall, and cause even bigger issues.