Are you sure that your home’s foundation is prepared for winter? It’s easy to forget how hard the cold winter months can be on a foundation. And too many homeowners pay little attention until the damage has already been done.
If you live in Texas, your home is likely at risk for damage from winter weather. We’re going to give you the most important winter foundation maintenance tip to keep in mind. But first, let’s look at why winter can pose such a threat to your home.
How Texas Winters Can Destroy Your Foundation
Winter foundation problems aren’t the result of a bad foundation. They’re caused by the soil that the foundation is sitting on.
The clays that much of Texas sits on, black gumbo and caliche, react to changes in water. If you’ve noticed those giant cracks in the land during dry spells, you’ve witnessed this firsthand. During the winter months, changes in the amount of moisture cause the soil to contract.
If your home is sitting on a slab or pier-and-beam foundation, this shifting in the soil causes pressure that can cause bending and cracking.
You can protect your home’s foundation from winter with one simple step.
The Key to Winter Foundation Maintenance: Water Your Foundation Properly
As Randon says, “Just because it’s not hot outside doesn’t mean it’s not dry.”
Keeping the moisture content of the soil around your home consistent will prevent the kind of shifting that destroys foundations. Here’s how to keep your foundation properly watered:
- Use an in-ground sprinkler system or soaker hose about 18 inches from your home’s foundation. An in-ground sprinkler system requires the least amount of effort on your part. But soaker hoses laid out around your foundation will work just as well and save you the expense.
- Water the area within 10’ of your home, not directly next to the foundation. You want to keep the soil moist, but watering right next to your foundation can cause problems with moisture accumulation.
- Water the foundation less than you do during summer. Generally you’ll end up watering about 75% less frequently than during summertime. But keep in mind that winter droughts can be just as problematic for your foundation as those in summer.
Bonus Tip: Another winter hazard to your foundation could be the water lines running into your home. Make sure that these water lines are in good condition and winterized. A broken water line could go undetected and cause serious foundation issues.
As temps drop, protect your foundation from cold weather damage.
Seeing Cracks? Call Ram Jack
If the elements have already taken a toll on your home’s foundation and you notice cracking, it’s best to call the experts before your foundation suffers any more damage. Our technicians will look at your foundation’s problems and give you a free estimate on repairs. Call us (713) 597-8970 to schedule a free estimate today or contact us online.
