Learn how cold water impact home foundations from best plumbers near you
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ToggleWhen the temperature drops below the freezing point, it causes the water to freeze below your concrete foundation. If the temperature remains below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for three consecutive days, the extent of damage gets worse. In this article, we have discussed how cold water can impact your foundation and how you can prevent it.
Frost Heave
- In freezing temperatures when the water and soil are susceptible to frost, frost heave occurs. This causes the ground to freeze from the top and the freeze begins to progress downwards. When that happens, the soil present below the ground begins to lift the upper layers.
The ground below the foundation shifts to fill the spaces and gaps that are formed as a result. Ultimately, the unfrozen part of the foundation also freezes. The expansion caused by frozen water exerts lateral pressure that results in the upheaval movement.
Cracks In The Foundation
- Cracks begin to appear in the walls, floor, and ceiling as a consequence of soil shifting. After some time when the temperature changes, thawing may cause the ground to collapse.
This can lead to an uneven foundation thereby giving rise to structural problems. Floors, footings, walls, and slab pavements may also be affected.
Frozen Discharge Line
- The discharge line is susceptible to freezing during winters especially if you have a crawl space or sump pump in your basement. The purpose of the discharge line is to move excess water out of the home. However, when it freezes water will be forced back into your home which can increase the risk of flooding.
All that water affects your foundation negatively and can lead to the development of cracks and leaks. It is therefore advisable to make sure that the discharge line is angled downwards. This will help prevent water from collecting. Moreover, special attachments can be installed on the discharge line for efficient draining.
Problems Caused By Melting Snow
- As soon as the temperature starts rising, the ice and snow will begin to melt. The resulting water will seep into the foundation soil around your home. This causes the soil to become saturated with water. When the soil can no longer hold more water, the excess water will find its way into the basement via cracks, doors, and windows.
This not only endangers the foundation of your home but also leads to the growth of mold, dampness, musty odor, and peeling paint. When you notice any of these signs that means water is getting into your foundation.
Formation Of Ice Dams
During winters snow begins to collect on the roof especially when the maintenance and cleaning of the roof are overlooked. Over time, the heat from inside the house causes the snow to melt. Water begins to run down the roof and reaches the eaves. Since the eaves are colder than the rest of the roof, the water refreezes.
This causes the buildup of ice dams thereby blocking the flow of water from the roof. When water does not find a way to discharge it may seep into your home through cracks thus leading to wood rot, wall cracks, and mildew growth.
Damage Caused By Freezing And Thawing
- Due to the freezing and thawing of water, the cracks in the foundation will begin to grow. As the cracks enlarge, the interior walls may pull apart and separate from the roof in worse cases. Moreover, the increased moisture will cause some serious destruction in the basement as well as the crawl space.
If you have noticed cracks in your foundation give us a call at 877-727-2259. Our experts from Crack-X will assess the damage and provide necessary foundation repairs. Crack-X is a structural repair company located in Maine and New Hampshire.