Is Your Home Ready For Winter? 3 Important Steps to Take Now
You are running out of time to get your home ready for winter. Let KC Waterproofing and Foundation Repair help prepare your home for the freezing temperatures!
Winter usually brings freezing temperatures, high winds, and snow that can damage your home.
During cold winter weather, the soil beneath your home expands and contracts. And when water and moisture penetrate the soil, this shifting can result in foundation damage.
Early predictions from the Farmers Almanac tell us this winter could have above-average precipitation. So now is the time to get your home ready.
Here are 3 important things you can do to make sure your home is in shape for the winter season:
Step 1: Check Gutters, Downspouts, and Discharges
- Make sure your gutters and downspouts are cleaned out, fully connected, and draining freely.
- Check your discharge location for all your downspouts and your sump pump. We recommend these discharges at least 10 feet away from your property.
- The last thing you want is the water from rain, sleet, or melting snow to flow straight at your home’s foundation where it can cause all sorts of damage.
Step 2: Check the Area Next to Your Foundation
- Make sure your landscape slopes away from your foundation.
- It’s common for the soil next to the foundation to settle over the season.
- You may need to add some topsoil to fill in any low spots that have formed.
- Focus on the 6-foot perimeter around your home to make sure the soil consistently slopes away from the foundation.
Step 3: Check for Cracks in Basement Walls and Floors
- Walk around your basement, look for any cracks or imperfections in the walls and floors, and inspect for any signs of moisture.
- Water can build up in the soil around basement floors and walls and create pressure, which can then cause water to press through any cracks.
- Be on the lookout for water stains, or other discoloration on the floor and walls. Also, look for any efflorescence, which is the white or gray powdery residue of salt deposits that water leaves behind.
- Even small cracks and leaks can lead to structural damage and moisture problems.
What To Do If You Find a Problem
If you see any problems, you should get them checked out right away. You can schedule an inspection.
We’ll thoroughly evaluate your property and give you a professional recommendation to solve the problem for good. Contact us today!
Your Basement Waterproofing and Foundation Repair experts in Johnson County, Kansas including Prairie Village, Leawood, Overland Park, Shawnee, Lenexa, and more!
