Winter is just around the corner, and with it comes freezing temperatures that have the potential to severely damage the foundation of your home. Not only do you have to worry about snow and ice, but falling temps can also cause damage to your foundation that can cost thousands to properly repair. Taking the time to learn a little bit about what cold can potentially do to your home can help you better protect it.
How Does Temperature Affect Your Foundation?
Though frost and freezing can affect your entire home, they are particularly hard on the foundation. The first thing to be aware of is called frost heave. This is where the top layers of the soil start to freeze, but the bottom layers do not. The soft bottom layers of soil then begin to heave or push up on the top layers, causing the foundation to potentially crack.
You also need to look at your discharge line. For basements with a sump pump or a sump pump in the crawlspace, when the discharge line freezes or frosts, it can force water back into your home, causing hundreds of dollars of damage. It can lead to mold growth, water damage, and so much more.
Frost and freezing are also likely to cause issues like leakage and seeping into the basement walls as the frost and ice melt. You should be aware of a phenomenon called an ice dam as well. The ice and snow on the roof freeze and then start to melt. The water from the melting ice then goes down and ends up dripping around the foundation which can cause cracks and other issues. As the ground thaws your foundation can also settle.
Can Temperature Affect Your Foundation?
Put simply, the temperature of the air and the ground around your foundation can certainly affect it and even cause extensive damage in some cases. It is important that you take the time to contact a professional foundation repair company if you notice any damage or any issues that need to be taken care of.
It’s always easier to repair problems when they are small and when they appear early than it is to wait until there is extensive damage to be taken care of. If you notice any shifting or leaking in the foundation or basement of your home, get a professional out immediately to start the inspection process and figure out what needs to be repaired and if there is anything that can be done.
Your foundation is one of the most important factors; it literally holds your home up. When the foundation is damaged, you are far more likely to experience issues in other parts of your home, and making sure you are taking care of your foundation can make a huge difference.