Prepare for Winter to Prevent Foundation Problems
Winter is just around the corner, and even if it is still sunlight, preparing for winter can save you money when the year's first frost hits. This includes properly maintaining your basement, foundation, gutters, and downspouts. Winter preparation not only makes your home more efficient, it also lowers heating bills and increases the stability of your home's structure.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare your home for winter.
Clean Gutters
To ensure the water is draining properly, all gutters and downspouts must be regularly cleaned. If they are clogged with debris and leaves, you can have serious problems like water infiltration under the foundation and roof damage. Soil erosion may …show more content…
During winter, pooling water around the sump pump can freeze and damage the sump pump.
Insulate Your Pipes
Pipes without insulation could crack or even burst, resulting to basement flooding.
Fix Plumbing Leaks and Water Seepage
If you notice water seepage through cracks in your basement, this existing problem will only become worse as the temperature drops. Check the interior and exterior of your home and look for standing water in the yard, foundation cracks, and other water-related issues. Water can seep through cracks, then freeze. As the freezing water expands, it widens the cracks and allows water to seep through.
Maintain Roofing
Inspect and replace missing or damaged shingles to prevent water leaks, high humidity levels or wood rot.
Inspect Dirt Grade
Make sure the dirt grade around the foundation slopes away from the home. If it slopes toward the home, rainwater and melted snow could cause runoff and increase hydrostatic pressure against foundation walls.
As winter approaches, make sure your home's interior and exterior are protected against snow, ice, and cold temperatures. With proper maintenance, you'll increase the stability of your home's structure and foundation. Contact us today or more
Winter is just around the corner, and even if it is still sunlight, preparing for winter can save you money when the year's first frost hits. This includes properly maintaining your basement, foundation, gutters, and downspouts. Winter preparation not only makes your home more efficient, it also lowers heating bills and increases the stability of your home's structure.
Here are a few tips to help you prepare your home for winter.
Clean Gutters
To ensure the water is draining properly, all gutters and downspouts must be regularly cleaned. If they are clogged with debris and leaves, you can have serious problems like water infiltration under the foundation and roof damage. Soil erosion may …show more content…
During winter, pooling water around the sump pump can freeze and damage the sump pump.
Insulate Your Pipes
Pipes without insulation could crack or even burst, resulting to basement flooding.
Fix Plumbing Leaks and Water Seepage
If you notice water seepage through cracks in your basement, this existing problem will only become worse as the temperature drops. Check the interior and exterior of your home and look for standing water in the yard, foundation cracks, and other water-related issues. Water can seep through cracks, then freeze. As the freezing water expands, it widens the cracks and allows water to seep through.
Maintain Roofing
Inspect and replace missing or damaged shingles to prevent water leaks, high humidity levels or wood rot.
Inspect Dirt Grade
Make sure the dirt grade around the foundation slopes away from the home. If it slopes toward the home, rainwater and melted snow could cause runoff and increase hydrostatic pressure against foundation walls.
As winter approaches, make sure your home's interior and exterior are protected against snow, ice, and cold temperatures. With proper maintenance, you'll increase the stability of your home's structure and foundation. Contact us today or more