Winter weather in South Australia is becoming increasingly unpredictable. With heavier downpours, colder nights, and extended dry spells, the impact on home foundations is more noticeable than ever.
These changing conditions can cause soil movement beneath your home. This often leads to cracking walls, jammed doors and windows, sagging roofs, and sloping floors. Addressing early signs can help you avoid much more costly structural repairs later.
Below, we outline the most common foundation issues that arise during winter—and what you can do to manage them. These practical tips can help you better care for your home, your most valuable asset…
Persistent Pools of Water
If water regularly pools around your property after rain, it’s often a sign of poor drainage, blocked gutters, or an overflowing storm water system. When water isn’t properly directed away from your home it seeps into the surrounding soil. This causes it to swell and place uneven pressure on your foundations. Over time, this excess moisture leads to soil movement, expanding when wet and contracting as it dries, which can result in shifting, cracking, or sinking foundations.
To reduce this risk, ensure your site is graded according to South Australian building code requirements by directing storm water away from the structure. Capturing runoff in a well-maintained rainwater tank can help manage excess water. It’s also worth having a licensed plumber inspect your storm water system to check for blockages or recommend improvements to ensure efficient runoff during heavy rain.
If drainage issues have already affected your foundations, we can provide expert advice and underpinning solutions tailored to your home.
Winter Dryness and Foundation Risk
Despite the recent wet weather, much of South Australia is still classified as being in drought, with below-average rainfall recorded for over 18 months. These prolonged dry conditions have significantly reduced the moisture content in our soils.
In normal seasons, winter rainfall plays a vital role in rehydrating the ground after long, hot summers. However, when this replenishment doesn’t occur, the soil continues to dry out, shrink, and compact, creating voids beneath buildings. This movement places pressure on your foundations potentially leading to cracks, uneven floors, and structural instability. Even after rainfall returns, the long-term effects of drought can continue to compromise ground conditions.
Now is the time to assess your property for early signs of foundation movement and take preventative steps to avoid costly repairs later.
Foundation Heaving
In the Adelaide Hills and Plains, temperatures can occasionally drop to freezing overnight, creating conditions where soil moisture may freeze. When this happens, the moisture expands as it freezes, lifting the ground and causing the foundation to heave. As temperatures rise and the ice thaws, the soil contracts, resulting in ground movement. This cycle of expansion and contraction can lead to structural issues such as cracks, uneven floors, and damage to your building’s foundation.
While foundation heaving is less common in most of South Australia, it is a potential risk in colder localised areas like the Adelaide Hills and should be monitored accordingly.
Look for cracks in walls, especially around doors and windows. Monitoring outdoor features like retaining walls, patios, and pathways for cracking or displacement is useful too. It’s important to track these changes over time, particularly during cold months when freezing and thawing cycles occur. If you notice any of these signs it might be time to call in a professional to assess the situation and recommend appropriate action.
Repairing the Damage Done by Winter Conditions
Winter weather presents a unique set of challenges for foundations, especially in regions like the Adelaide Hills and Plains where drought, frost, and fluctuating moisture levels intersect. Understanding these risks allows home and business owners to take proactive steps in monitoring and maintaining their property throughout the season.
Whether it’s addressing poor drainage, managing soil moisture, or recognising early signs of foundation movement, timely action can prevent costly repairs and protect your home’s structural integrity.
If you have any concerns about how winter weather may be affecting your foundation, 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.
