Summer Heat Can Worsen Your Foundation Damage

The Midwest is known (and adored) for our four seasons, which can be a double-edged sword in some instances. When it comes to your foundation concrete, the soil below the foundation can withstand a lot of change but over time the severe weather changes can cause expansion and contraction of the concrete. This results in cracks and unevenness. The winter months begin the year with temperatures that can range from mid 60’s in Kansas City to -10… with a wind chill of even less. The extreme swinging of temperatures, combined with the moisture that accompanies the winter (snow, ice, rain) can worsen foundation and concrete surfaces over time. As we embark on the Spring season, the weather tends to warm up, but brings along some severe weather…. rain, hail, storms, flooding, etc. 

Right now in the midst of the summer months (typically June - September), Kansas City’s heat is drying out the moisture, causing the soil to contract. This can be damaging to already crumbling or uneven foundation surfaces, furthering the damage. Concrete is used for foundations because of the strength and durability, but over time, the pressure mixed with the contract and expansion cycle can cause and worsen cracks, requiring repair. 

RELATED: 3 Steps to Prevent Water from Destroying your Home

Homeowners often ask our crew at PierMagic Foundation Specialists if there is anything they can do to prevent further foundation damage? We have some suggestions that can slow down the foundation damage and maintain more of a consistent moisture level around your home. Here are some suggestions to consider, especially in the Midwest during the heat of those summer months. 

1. When the weather warms up, homeowners tend to worry about their grass and making sure it’s watered properly. Don’t stop at your grass! Water the foundation and the soil around your foundation when the weather reaches above 85 degrees. The investment of watering the foundation area (between 2 and 3 feet from your home) can help prevent foundation damage. This will keep the concrete moist, reducing the natural contracting that occurs when the concrete is extremely dry. 

2. Planting with a Purpose: yes, it might sound odd, but you can plant some trees or bushes near your foundation that allows the roots to trap moisture during those hot summer days. This will also help during the spring and fall seasons when rain and flooding can hit the Kansas City area by allowing the roots to absorb that extra water. Ultimately the natural role of a plant/tree root is to absorb and trap moisture, which is perfect for what you’d like to have helping out the foundation. 

    a. An arborist tip…. If a tree is set to reach 15 feet tall, it should be planted at least 15 feet away from the home’s     foundation.

3. Check your downspouts. They are a vehicle for transporting a lot of water away from your home and are key to leading the water away from the basement. Naturally, your roof is a water collector, so if you think about all of the water that hits your roof during a torrential downpour, you can appreciate the job of the downspouts as they channel that water down and away from the home. Simply buying and connecting downspout extensions will direct all that water further away from your foundation and is a minuscule expense. This will prevent further damage and water issues in your foundation and basement. 

As with all home repairs, the sooner you repair or catch an issue, you can avoid worse damage. If you have any of the following issues around your foundation, you should seek a free assessment from a reputable company. If you’re in the KC area, PierMagic Foundation Specialists offer free assessments from our experienced crew. 

We have many other home projects to focus on this summer, but should keep an eye on any foundation issues to ensure they don’t worsen over the year. The team at PierMagic Foundation Specialists is here and ready to provide a free estimate. We hope you’ve found some useful tips on how to handle situations when the Summer Heat Can Worsen Your Foundation Damage.