Foundation Damage Due to Droughts

Foundation-damage-due-to-droughts
California summers in the past few years have been among the driest on record. While moisture is one of the worst enemies of your foundation, drought can lead to severe issues as well. If the seasonal dryness persists as it has in recent years, homeowners may have cause for concern about their foundations structural integrity.

When soil is saturated with water it begins to expand, pushing up and out onto the foundation, leading to shifting, cracking and structural damage. During a drought, just the opposite occurs, and the soil contracts pulling the foundation out and down with it. This can be equally detrimental to soil expansion, and cause a foundation to become unstable.

Related: Taking Care of Your Driveways In Summer

As soil begins to dry up during the summer we tend to receive an increase in calls from homeowners who have just discovered foundation cracks and damage around their homes. You might have noticed one door sticking during the rainy season, only to realize that different doors are sticking from the drought, windows are no longer in alignment, and your walls, floors, or retaining walls have begun to crack.

The only thing that can fully lift the effects of drought is rain, but there are steps that homeowners can take to repair and protect their foundation from the drying effect of the hot summer sun.

Related: How the California drought affects your foundation 

If you have discovered foundation cracks, retaining wall or foundation damage, or any other kind of issues associated with the concrete foundation or drainage around your property, don’t hesitate to call California Foundation Works at (323) 418-2239. We will send out one of our foundation specialists to perform a thorough inspection of your property, and provide a free* estimate to help you find the solution that works best for you.

Related: Preparing Your Home Foundation For Summer ?