Understanding how summer weather can impact your foundation and the steps you can take to prevent problems can help you avoid costly repairs down the road.
The hot, dry weather can cause the soil around your house to shrink and pull away from the foundation. This process, called foundation settling, can lead to a number of problems, including cracks in the foundation and walls, doors and windows that stick or won’t close properly. Read more to learn how to protect your foundation in the summer and how the weather may affect your foundation.
Three Ways the Summer Heat May Affect Your Foundation
Your foundation is essentially the backbone of your house, literally supporting the entire structure. It is typically made of concrete, which is a very strong material. However, concrete is susceptible to cracking, especially when it is subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations and pressure changes.
During the summer, the ground around your foundation can dry out considerably. This shrinkage can put stress on the foundation, causing it to crack. These cracks can start small and go unnoticed at first, but over time they can grow larger and become a major structural issue.
Here’s a closer look at how some of the key elements of your foundation are affected by summer weather:
- Soil: Soil movement is one of the primary culprits behind foundation problems. Clay soil, in particular, is prone to shrinking during dry weather and expanding during wet weather. This constant movement can put a lot of stress on your foundation.
- Foundation walls: Foundation walls are typically made of poured concrete or concrete CMU blocks. As the soil shrinks away from the foundation walls in the summer, they can begin to settle. This can cause cracks in the walls themselves, as well as cracks in the drywall inside your home.
- Basement floors: If your home has a basement (not many here in Southern California), the basement floor can also be affected by foundation settlement. The floor may crack or become uneven, and doors in the basement may become difficult to open or close.
Signs of Foundation Settlement
There are a number of telltale signs that can indicate foundation settlement is occurring in your home. If you are not sure if your home is settling and need an expert opinion, schedule an inspection. Some of the most common signs include:
- Cracks in the foundation walls: These cracks can appear anywhere on the foundation walls.
- Cracks in the interior walls: If foundation cracks are severe enough, they can extend to the interior walls of your home. These cracks will typically be diagonal and may be located around doorways and window openings, as well as along the ceiling and floor line.
- Uneven floors: Foundation settlement can cause floors to become uneven, both in the basement and on the upper levels of your home.
- Doors and windows that stick or won’t close properly: As your foundation settles, the doors and windows in your home may become misaligned, making them difficult to open or close.
Tips for Preventing Foundation Problems in the Summer
While you can’t control the weather, there are a number of steps you can take to help prevent foundation problems during the summer months. Here are some of the most effective tips:
- Install a watering system: A drip irrigation system can be a great way to water your foundation evenly and efficiently.
- Plant trees and shrubs away from your foundation: The roots of trees and shrubs can absorb moisture from the soil around your foundation, contributing to foundation settlement. To learn more on how far from your foundation you should plant trees, read this article.
- Maintain proper drainage: Poor drainage around your foundation can lead to excess moisture in the soil, which can also cause foundation problems. Make sure that the ground slopes away from your house and that your gutters are properly functioning.
- Conduct regular foundation inspections: It is important to have your foundation inspected regularly by a qualified professional. They can identify any potential problems early on and recommend repairs before they become more serious. Homeowners in Southern California can schedule a free foundation inspection in our serviceable areas if there home is not on the market to be sold.
By taking steps to prevent foundation problems during the summer, you can help to protect your home and avoid costly repairs down the road. If you notice any signs of foundation settlement, it is important to contact a reputable foundation repair company for a thorough inspection.
*The Foundation Works provides complimentary foundation inspections for owner-occupied homes not on the market to be sold in any of our service areas.
