MORE LOCATIONSWhat is The Freeze and Thaw Cycle?
- The freeze-thaw cycle, also known as frost heave, occurs when water within structures freezes and thaws, causing expansion and contraction. When temperatures drop below 32°F, water expands by 9%, exerting pressure on its surroundings. This process leads to damage when water seeps into cracks or openings, freezes, and expands, widening those openings and compromising structural integrity over time. This cycle can impact various home structures, including gutters, utility lines, foundations, walls, and soil.
Freeze-thaw cycles are particularly common during winter when freezing temperatures are interrupted by heat waves, temporarily melting snow before refreezing. Rapid temperature changes intensify the cycle, resulting in more severe structural damage. While any location with cold winters can experience a freeze-thaw cycle, areas with harsher winters or frequent temperature fluctuations, such as Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, are more susceptible to damage. As winter weather becomes warmer, water thaws more frequently, increasing the number of temperature shifts and the associated damage.
Preventing Freeze-Thaw Damage to Foundations
- Freeze-thaw damage can be challenging to avoid entirely, but you can take steps to minimize its impact and repair the damage it causes.
Keep Your Foundation Dry
- Maintaining a dry foundation is crucial for reducing freeze-thaw damage. Ensure that your gutters, downspouts, and other water drainage systems are functioning correctly to direct water away from your home and prevent moisture buildup around the foundation.
Additionally, investing in basement waterproofing measures, such as sump pumps, can be especially beneficial in flood-prone areas.
Control Lawn Moisture and Use Smart Landscaping
- Regulating lawn moisture helps reduce freeze-thaw damage and prevents hydrostatic pressure buildup. To control lawn moisture, avoid overwatering, ensure your property slopes away from your home, and install effective drainage systems.
Schedule Regular Foundation Inspections
- Regular foundation inspections help you identify early warning signs of damage from freeze-thaw cycles and other issues.
Homeowners should get their foundations inspected every five to seven years, but in areas with harsh winters like the Merrimack Valley, more frequent inspections may be necessary.
Repair Your Foundation by Patching Cracks and Gaps
- Freeze-thaw damage worsens over time, so it’s important to check your foundation for cracks regularly. Each spring, inspect your foundation and patch any visible cracks larger than a quarter of an inch using waterproof silicone caulking. This helps slow down freeze-thaw damage and keeps out pests like ants, cockroaches, and spiders.
Install Hydronic Heating System
- The installation of a hydronic heating system helps prevent frost heave. Boilers that warm a house using hot water should be installed in homes. The steam from these boilers would heat your home and keep the earth below the building sufficiently warm.
Avoid Overusing Ice Melt
- Be cautious with ice melt around your home’s foundation. While it can help remove slick surfaces, it can also create more freeze-thaw cycles by temporarily melting ice and snow. As the ice melt wears off and the water refreezes, it can exacerbate existing damage. Use ice melt sparingly to
Preserve the integrity of your home by effectively fixing foundation issues. For all sorts of foundational problems, 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, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.