Questions about watering landscape during drought and hot weather

[AndyA]

5. We have clay soils which expand and contract according to moisture level

So, think of your slab being built on a sponge: too wet, it expands and heaves upward; too dry, it shrinks and can't support any weight. We have to keep the moisture level in the soil around the house evenly moist, so one side isn't too wet, and the other side too dry. This causes concrete slabs to crack and shift. Maintaining steady moisture prevents the heaving and settling movement.

Watering foundations is common in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, etc., due to the soil.