Slabs and Oaks: Austin's Two Maintenance Signatures

The Slab Discipline

Central Texas clay swells and shrinks; slab movement follows moisture swings. The routine: soaker hoses at the perimeter in deep-dry stretches, grading and gutters moving water away in storms, and seasonal door-square checks as your gauge. Documented pier repairs with transferable warranties are normal here — undocumented movement is what scares buyers.

Oak Care Is Regulated Care

Austin's heritage-tree rules protect large oaks, and oak wilt shapes pruning calendars — avoid cutting in high-risk season, paint wounds immediately, and use arborists who speak the disease fluently. A dead heritage oak is both a loss and a permitting event.

Roof and Sun Cycles

Hail-cycle shingles (impact-rated upgrades pencil), UV-eaten caulk and stain, and radiant-barrier attics that actually help summer bills.

Water Strategy

Xeriscape conversion, rain barrels, and drip systems answer both watering rules and bills — increasingly the Austin default.

Pros Who Know Central Texas

Verified Austin-area pros — free matching on this page.