What effects does winter weather have on foundations?
Winter weather may bring a lot of rain and even snow at times. This season, the soil under and around your foundation may become oversaturated from extra precipitation. When rainfall gathers in the earth, it expands the soil. This might temporarily relieve your foundation since the soil lacked adequate moisture over the warm months to sustain the foundation fully. Some doors, for example, may suddenly be able to close after previously having difficulties doing so in the heat of summer.
There is no inappropriate time or season to have Foundation Repair Venice done on your house, although winter repairs have certain advantages. The significant advantage of installing pilings in the winter is that the lift may be less substantial since the settled area in need of repair is naturally lifted owing to the existing moisture content in the soil, minimizing the need for a mechanical lift. Lifting a foundation during this season places less stress on the home because it may already be in a more elevated position than it was during the summer heat.
Cold Side Effects
When the temperature drops, several bad things may happen to your foundation. The soil will collect rainwater from melting, light rain, and snowstorms during the winter. Temperatures fluctuate drastically as well. Because the freezing temperatures freeze rainwater, it does not evaporate or absorb fully into the soil. This water expands and heaves the soil.
Frost heaving is a common issue around this season, making the soil extremely unstable. Heaving is the cause of foundation destabilization, which results in foundation fractures and uneven settlement. The frost heave cycle causes the soil to become extremely unstable. The severity of the injury worsens if temperatures fall below 40 degrees and remain there for at least three days.
Heaving occurs when there are cold temperatures, frost-sensitive soil, and water or moisture. Typically, the earth begins to freeze from the top down. Because frozen ice is firmer than unfrozen ground, it holds your foundation in place. As the freezing continues lower, the underlying soil expands and pushes against the top layer. This turbulence leaves holes and voids in your foundation.
Winter Protection for Your Foundation
If you haven’t already taken efforts to secure your home’s foundation, now is the moment. Use these strategies to reduce the impact of cold and melt runoff on your foundation.
Fill up any tiny cracks.
We often ignore minor fractures, forgetting that they might expand throughout the freeze-thaw cycle. If you see foundation wall cracks, contact a professional contractor right once to evaluate and fix them. You’ll avoid foundation damage and water intrusion this way.
Repair any loose or broken gutters.
Ensure your gutters are in good working order so they can do their job effectively in the winter. Remove any debris or dirt that may be obstructing water flow. Make sure the downspouts are correctly adjusted and that any water that comes from them is directed away from your property. Gutter and downspouts, when effective, will preserve your foundation by keeping rain and melting ice away from it.
Humidity control
When winter hits, it may appear that turning off the dehumidifier is the best thing to do. But you’re overlooking the fact that precipitation and melt-offs are regular. In the winter, excessive dampness may damage your foundation and its walls. To avoid issues, leave the dehumidifier on during the winter. Ensure the device is set to the lowest level so it will activate when humidity becomes an issue.
Other precautions
Winter cold is a primary source of foundation and crawls space concerns. Enclose any crawl spaces with a plastic vapor barrier. This liner keeps damp, drafty air and bugs out of your crawl area. Check the outdoor water taps and garden hoses to ensure they are turned off and not leaking. Turning on a frozen pipe in the winter might cause water to leak.
If you take steps now, you may prevent the annoyance of dealing with moisture and water concerns when it’s cold outdoors. Make an appointment with the skilled team at RLM Retrofit Foundation for a free foundation assessment and repair quotation.
