Winters can not only be hard on your wallet with increased heating bills but can also be hard on the foundation of your home. Snow, ice and low temperatures all combine to have a negative impact on that all important part of your home’s structure. It is important to understand what damage can be caused in order to know what you can do to prevent or fix it when it does occur.

Cracks in the foundation

This is something that makes everyone cringe when it comes to their home’s foundations. However, the formation of hairline cracks in the foundation is a common occurrence during the winter. Although these cracks can form any time of the year, the process is accelerated in winter.

Cracks that occur during winter are mainly caused by frost heave. This occurs when the moisture in the surrounding soil freezes. This results in the water expanding and adding more pressure on the soil and the foundation. The result is cracks in the foundation.

It is important to have a professional contractor seal up the cracks in the foundation. A contractor will also provide other repair solutions for cracks wider than ¼”.

Moisture damage

Moisture and water seepage are a common occurrence when the snow is beginning to melt. This is because large volumes of water are being drained into the soils surrounding your home’s foundation. The water can enter the home through cracks, joints in the foundation where walls meet or where the wall meets the floor, window frames or through the top of the wall of the foundation.

There are many signs of seepage of water through your foundation. These include actual water puddles in the basement, moist walls, damp odor, peeling paint, rusting, dark stains and the growth of mold.

Ensure that you get a professional to assess your basement if you suspect there is seepage. He will identify the entry points and ensure that they are sealed. He will also help you find solutions to keep the moisture out permanently.

Freezing up of discharge lines

When your basement is flooded, you’ll need your sump pump to help you get rid of the water. However, your sump pump will not work properly if the discharge lines are frozen. The water pumped by the sump pump will be forced back into the basement.

Have a look at the discharge lines and ensure that there is no frozen ice within them. You can pour hot water in the lines to melt the ice and reopen the discharge lines. A contractor can help you do this.