Winter Foundation Repair Problems

South Dakota winters can be brutal. It’s one thing to have to shovel out the driveway multiple times over a 24 hour period, but it’s quite another to have foundation repair problems develop. While your home may seem fine in the fall, it could be in dire need of foundation repair by the spring. Here are a few things that you can do to prevent disastrous foundation repair costs in the future.

Clean Your Gutters

This is an often overlooked step that can save you lots of time and money. All you will need is a ladder, gloves, and someone to help you. Before the first frost, or the first snowfall, make sure that you clear out your gutters. Set up a ladder, put on your gloves, and make sure you have help. Clean out the gutter by taking out the leaves and debris. Then wash the gutter with hose water. If it is loose or not fitting correctly, it will need to be reattached. The leaves should be taken off of your lawn so that they don’t cause staining or other issues. If you see that there is a large blockage, you may need to call someone to help. If there are birds nesting in your gutter, call animal control.

Why clean the gutters? If not, the water can flow over the side and cause large icicles. Not only can they be a hazard to those below, but they can also drip water onto the foundation. With that, make sure your downspouts are at least five feet away from the home so they do not drain into the foundation.

Fill Cracks and Voids

Any cracks or voids you see in your home should be checked out before the winter. Do not attempt to fill cracks or voids by yourself. Crack repair is often the assumed answer to a problem, but unfortunately there are deeper issues lurking in many cases. This could be anything from a large void underneath a crack in the driveway to your home needing foundation repair after a crack in the foundation. Think of the crack as a sign or symptom of the problem. The crack itself is usually just a surface problem that can be corrected. However, surface cracks are a great place for water to seep into. The water freezes and causes damage to the cement or foundation. This is a situation where it’s very important to call a foundation repair expert, like Rapid Foundation Repair, for a free estimate.

Rapid Foundation Repair is Your Winter Weather Expert

If you need your home checked out before the winter season, or you have problems during, contact us at Rapid Foundation Repair. We are happy to help you get your home in tip top shape before the winter season or to resolve any emergency issues during the winter. Contact us today for more information on how to get started getting your home ready!