Posted by Dave Newcomb on 2/6/2019 to
Midwest Foundation Supply
Cold weather does affects concrete foundations. If you live a cold climate with freezing temperatures, cold weather can have a major impact on concrete foundations. A cracked concrete foundation can result to leaks, wall cracks, and other structural damage. Uncovered foundations that are exposed to the air can freeze the ground several feet, causing frost heave under pavements, homes and buildings. The end results are destructive structures and serious foundation problems, causing you to spend money on major repairs. The best solution is to reduce frost penetration and keep water out of the soil. It is important to know what frost heaving is so you can prevent it.
Unfortunately, foundation damage can occur even before the temperature reaches the freezing point. If the temperature falls below 40 degrees for three consecutive days, the likelihood for foundation damage is high.
So what is frost heaving and why is it destructive? Frost heaving is caused by freezing temperatures that can damage structures in two ways.
Cold temperatures cause ice to freeze beneath the concrete foundation producing frost heave. Frost heaving is the movement of the soil due to the formation of ice lenses. Ice lenses are long crystals formed by layers of ice within the ground.
The other way is the ground collapsing which is caused by thawing ice lenses. Both could affect structures causing vertical ground movement, shifting foundations, unlevel foundations, and cracks in the structure. Foundation walls, floors, footings, retaining walls, slab pavements and other structures can be seriously affected.
So how does frost heave work? In order for frost heave to occur, there must be freezing temperatures, water and frost susceptible soil. All three conditions must be present. The process involves the following steps:
When the ground freezes, it starts from the top. Since the frozen area of the ground is much harder than the unfrozen area, it locks the foundation in place. As the ground continues to freeze, the freezing process progresses downwards causing the soil below to lift the top layers. This pulls the foundation up, creating gaps and spaces beneath the foundation. The ground beneath the foundation moves, filling the gaps and spaces that have opened up. The unfrozen area under the foundation eventually freezes. As the weather warms up, the ground thaws causing the foundation to come back down. Because the space under the foundation is partially filled, it doesn't go back down to its original position.
Long story short... Maintain gutters, keep your soil graded to shed water properly, have all cracks in the foundation injected to prevent water infiltration. If you can't do these things yourself, hire a pro. Midwest Foundation Supply can suggest some great contractors if you give us a call.
Unfortunately, foundation damage can occur even before the temperature reaches the freezing point. If the temperature falls below 40 degrees for three consecutive days, the likelihood for foundation damage is high.
So what is frost heaving and why is it destructive? Frost heaving is caused by freezing temperatures that can damage structures in two ways.
Cold temperatures cause ice to freeze beneath the concrete foundation producing frost heave. Frost heaving is the movement of the soil due to the formation of ice lenses. Ice lenses are long crystals formed by layers of ice within the ground.
The other way is the ground collapsing which is caused by thawing ice lenses. Both could affect structures causing vertical ground movement, shifting foundations, unlevel foundations, and cracks in the structure. Foundation walls, floors, footings, retaining walls, slab pavements and other structures can be seriously affected.
So how does frost heave work? In order for frost heave to occur, there must be freezing temperatures, water and frost susceptible soil. All three conditions must be present. The process involves the following steps:
When the ground freezes, it starts from the top. Since the frozen area of the ground is much harder than the unfrozen area, it locks the foundation in place. As the ground continues to freeze, the freezing process progresses downwards causing the soil below to lift the top layers. This pulls the foundation up, creating gaps and spaces beneath the foundation. The ground beneath the foundation moves, filling the gaps and spaces that have opened up. The unfrozen area under the foundation eventually freezes. As the weather warms up, the ground thaws causing the foundation to come back down. Because the space under the foundation is partially filled, it doesn't go back down to its original position.
Long story short... Maintain gutters, keep your soil graded to shed water properly, have all cracks in the foundation injected to prevent water infiltration. If you can't do these things yourself, hire a pro. Midwest Foundation Supply can suggest some great contractors if you give us a call.
