Winter temperatures can plummet below freezing, causing water to freeze in the ground. Water that is in the ground can enter small cracks in your foundation and, unfortunately, freeze. When it freezes, foundation cracks expand, leading to flooding in your basement when the water thaws.
- A freeze/thaw cycle will cause your foundation to expand and contract when the water freezes and melts. This causes cracks in the foundation in winter. Over time, the cracks can grow bigger and lead to substantial foundation issues. Winter weather is not the best time for polyurethane injection work because it needs to be applied at temperatures of 50 degrees or higher. However, concrete shrinks in size during winter, and this allows gaps to open up to their maximum widths. Gaps can be filled while they are at their largest, so you will not have to worry about the polyurethane’s ability to stretch. However, the cold polyurethane resin will take a bit longer to fully cure due to its thickness during the winter months and temperature restrictions on the product.
- Erosion is another issue you will need to address for your foundation. Water should be directed away from your foundation. If water is draining along your foundation, soil erodes. Erosion from snow and ice could flow toward your foundation. Gutters play a big part in directing water away from your home. If gutters are not properly cleaned, even during the winter, erosion can happen. Gutters should channel water 5- 10 feet away from the base of your home. This can vary according to the soil type around the foundation.
- Hydrostatic Pressure is gravity from the weight of water in the soil surrounding your basement, which pushes inward on your basement walls. It has the potential to push water through your foundation but can also shift or damage your basement walls. Mold from a wet basement will eventually spread throughout your home. When you see cracks in your basement and the walls are bowing, hydrostatic pressure could be the reason. Cracks can be diagonal, stair-step, or horizontal.
- Water can also have a sizable effect on your basement walls. Concrete blocks or walls do not absorb water, thus water pushes through concrete and can make its way into your basement. Adding a Sump Pump, sump pump alarm, and battery backup to your basement waterproofing installation can greatly reduce moisture in your basement. Winter weather can wreak havoc on our basements and foundations.
Lamunyon – Preferred Waterproofing Company In Kansas
With Lamunyon, we can take your worries away about waterproofing your Kansas basement or crawlspace. Call us now for your evaluation!
