How Hot Weather and Droughts Affect Your Home’s Foundation

cracks concrete pavementAs spring ends and the weather becomes hot, and rainfalls are few and far between, there can be a lot of complications with the foundation of your home. Here are some problems that cause foundation damage signs that you want to talk with a foundation professional about, and things to consider doing.

Shifting and Mold from Heavy Rains

When heavy rainfalls flood the ground, it can cause the ground to shift, and water can pool along the foundation. This can cause mold and mildew problems on the exterior of the foundation, and also on the interior walls of the foundation as the water starts to get absorbed. This also weakens the foundation of the property, and can cause crumbling.

If this is a problem around the property, it’s best to have the foundation sealed on both the inside and outside, and more backfill may be needed around the property. White cloudy markings on the inside walls of a basement or crawl are signs of water damage foundation.

The gutters should also be checked to make sure water isn’t being directed around the foundation. Water damage foundation signs must be dealt with right away, and water in the home should be a concern.

Cracking and Shifting from High Heat

When the temperatures are high, the soil shrinks and becomes loose. This loss of support can cause the foundation to shift and crack, and then the structure of the foundation and the property is compromised.

Cracking that can be seen on the inside could indicate possible foundation damage. If the cracks are very large, you may want to remove the foundation and pour new sections, to be sure that the foundation is strong enough to support the home.

After a long drought in the summer, the moisture and weather from fall to spring will be moist, causing the soil to expand and shift the property again. If you have any concerns regarding these extreme weather changes, contact us to examine the foundation annually to be sure there are no safety issues,  and to fix small problems before they become large, expensive, and time consuming repairs.