Changing weather and temperatures in Iowa can be hazardous to your basement health. When temperatures rise and fall rapidly it causes your home’s foundation to expand and contract. When the temperature gets colder, water evaporates from the foundation causing leaks, cracks and can weaken the foundation. Thus causing basements water damage.
Temperature changes also can cause frost heave, frost heave is where the moisture below the home freezes and expands. The expansion puts pressure on your home’s foundation. This upward movement can cause cracks to appear on your walls, floor, and ceiling. Three conditions must be present for frost heave to occur, and these are water, frost-susceptible soil, and freezing temperatures. Grounds start freezing from the top. Because the frozen area of the earth is harder than the unfrozen part and it locks the foundation in place. Freezing will progress downward and this will cause the underlying soil to lift the top layer. This process pulls the foundation up, forming gaps and spaces beneath the foundation.
When it gets warmer and hotter out it makes the soil dry and can cause your foundation to settle. When the weather warms up, the frozen ground thaws, releasing water. The foundation also comes back down. Because the space beneath the foundation is filled partially, it won’t sink to its original position. In some cases, the foundation may collapse.
Homeowners with basements will notice signs of foundation settlement around their doors and windows as well as walls. Doors and windows could stick, making it hard for the occupants to open or close them. Cracks will form in a zigzag pattern inside and outside your walls. As settlement progresses, the cracks can get worse.
Also, make sure to check your sump pump discharge lines to make sure they are not frozen. Blocked snow and ice can cause sump pump discharge lines to become frozen. When you have a frozen discharge line the water has no outlet, so the sump pump is running but the water can’t get out. This can then cause flooding in the basement.
With weather changes, you want to make sure and check your basement for any leaks, cracks and water coming in through windows. Making sure your basement is waterproofed can help save you lots of money down the road. Water getting into your home can lead to bigger, more costly issues. Call BAM Basements for a free estimate and customized solution to fit your home and needs.
At BAM basements and Masons of Des Moines we pride ourselves on supplying the best basement waterproofing system installation and foundation and structural repairs around. We offer LIMITED LIFETIME TRANSFERABLE WARRANTIES on most of our products.