Your home's foundation may be affected by winter weather such as sleet and snow. Here are three ways your foundation can be affected by winter weather.
Hydrostatic Pressure
This occurs when pressure on the soil becomes saturated with water and expands when the soil becomes saturated to place a huge force against your foundation walls.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles
When a freeze and thaw cycle occurs, it can damage your concrete driveway, but it can also damage your foundation. The damage begins when the water is absorbed into the outside of your foundation, freezes, and then expands. The expansion develops a lot of pressure on the foundation, forcing it to crack.
After the freeze and thaw cycle occurs, it can compound the damage. The water that begins to seep into the small cracks of your foundation could freeze and push the sides of the crack apart, causing the crack to widen. This can occur with every freeze and thaw cycle.
Erosion
Erosion can be caused by rain, sleet, and melting snow throughout your yard. This can cause issues for your foundation as well. The grade within your yard should slope away from your foundation to help direct the waterway, but the erosion can also alter the slope. Any water that travels down can erode the soil and expose your foundation walls.
Erosions can appear if your downspout directs water near your home/ A downspout needs to be extended 5-10 feet out from your yard to avoid water near your foundation walls. If your experiencing your downspout is being close to your home, contact a Foundation Diagnosis and Design Specialist today and see how our team can help you and your family prevent water from causing issues to your foundation.
Winter weather can be challenging for you, your family, and your home. The wet and cold weather can both cause damage to your foundation when combined. Our team here at Vesta Foundation Solution wants to help your and your family reduce any further foundation damage.
