Winter conditions can pose some challenges to the foundation of your home, potentially leading to costly repairs. Of course, it’s always better to spot indicators early, as timely intervention can save you a lot of money and inconvenience in the long run. While cracks in the walls, doors and windows that won’t shut properly, and uneven floors are common signs of damage to the foundations, here are some particular issues to look out for as the weather turns colder.
Persistent pools of water
When pools commonly appear outside after a period of rainfall, it is a sign of excessive moisture in the soil. This can be caused by a number of factors, including problems with stormwater drainage or a water tank that is overflowing. Either way, this is bad news for your foundations, as the moisture causes the building structures to shift, leading to further damage.
Winter dryness
Dryness in the soil is the flip side of excessive moisture and, surprisingly, this can be equally problematic for your building foundations. The warm Australian climate means that our soils are relatively dry. With our long, hot summers, soils require a decent amount of winter rain to maintain the necessary moisture in the soil. Therefore, when we experience under-average rainfall across the cooler months, it will lead to problems. The dry soil tends to compact, creating gaps in the ground, which, in turn, causes structural issues for your building with foundations that shift or sink.
Foundation heaving
While uncommon in the Australian climate, soil moisture can freeze if overnight temperatures drop down low enough. As it freezes, the moisture expands, subsequently shrinking as it thaws and causing movement in the ground. This is known as foundation heaving, which can also cause significant damage to your structure.
Repairing the damage done by winter conditions
If any of these winter issues are causing damage to your building, speak to allenCO construction about our underpinning method that offers a unique approach to soil stabilisation and supporting the structure of your building. Call today for a free quote and find out how this process can repair and support the foundations of your home – 0429 999 478.
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