I have 1/2 inch gap all around my home... what is it?

Question

I moved in to this house before a year. Home is now 5 year old. Yestearday while cutting lawn I noticed there was 1/2 inch gap almost all around the permimeter of my home. I am not sure if that is how it is supose to be or there is something that I need to take care of. Can one of you experts guide me on this issue. I am disqualified to be a handyman, so please answer in detail:)

Answer 1

that  1/2 inch gap  around your  foundation  is caused  by the  soil  being too  dry  and it  has  shrank away  allowing anything  to fall into that  space  including  weed  spores  and  tree  seedlings

doesnt  seem like  much to worry about  untill the tree seedlings and or  weed spores  get a little water and begin  to grow  which will    try to root in any little  cracks  it can grab onto   then  comes the water in the roots  and the  freeze of winter  now  swells  up that water and  the  foundation cracks that were  minimal  are  becomes  water  leaking  mold  causing  messes

and  all that  could have been avoided  with  a simple  sprinkling  of water  along the  side  of the house   so it would  have never  dried  out in the first  place

keep   the   ground  wet  a  time  or  two  during the month  and   all will be fine

anything that  tries  to  grow  along that  gap  kill it   quick

Answer 2

Soil shrinkage from drying.  Water well.  If you're in an area with expansive clay soils, like Houston, it's well worth while to run some drip irrigation tubing around the house and run it enough to keep the soil snugged up to the foundation.  

If there's a BIG bunch of entries in the phone book for foundation repair companies or mudjacking, you're probably in an area with expansive soils.  The water bill is much cheaper than the foundation repair.

Answer 3

The half inch gap you see is most likely and expansion joint for the concrete or cement that make up your foundation/basement walls. It is nothing to worry about. It is typical, and really standard in home construction. It prevents the concrete from cracking because it give it room to contract and expand. Hope that helps!