Winter in Texas can be unpredictable. While we often enjoy mild temperatures, sudden cold snaps and freezes aren’t uncommon. While a winter chill might just be a temporary inconvenience for most of us, it can have lasting effects on something much more important: your home’s foundation.
As a North Texas homeowner, knowing what to watch for when cold weather hits and acting quickly can help you protect your home, maintain its structural integrity, and avoid costly repairs down the line.
What Happens to Your Foundation During a Freeze?
Texas soil is unique – and not always in a good way. Much of the soil here is clay-rich, which means it expands and contracts with changes in moisture and temperature. During a winter freeze, the moisture in the soil around your home turns to ice, causing the soil to expand. This puts significant pressure on your foundation.
When temperatures warm up again, the frozen soil thaws and contracts. This back-and-forth cycle (called frost heave), can weaken the soil’s stability over time and cause shifts, cracks, or even settling in your foundation. Unfortunately, these changes often happen without much warning.
In extreme situations, long periods of freezing temperatures (like the big Texas freeze in 2021) can cause serious structural damage, putting your home’s safety and value at risk. That’s why keeping an eye on things and acting early is so important.
Potential Signs of Foundation Issues After a Freeze
Not every freeze will damage your foundation, but it’s important to know what warning signs to look for. After a particularly cold spell, walk around your home and check for the following:
- Cracks in Walls, Floors, or Ceilings: New or widening cracks are often the first indicator of foundation problems after a freeze. Pay close attention to areas near windows and door frames, as they’re particularly vulnerable to movement.
- Sticking Doors and Windows: If your doors and windows suddenly become difficult to open or close, it could be a sign your foundation has shifted.
- Uneven Floors: Noticeable slopes, sagging, or a bouncy feeling when you walk could point to a settling or uneven foundation.
- Gaps Around Windows or Exterior Doors: If you spot gaps between the wall and your windows or doors, the foundation may have shifted enough to affect your home’s framing.
- Exterior Cracks in the Foundation or Brickwork: Check the outside of your home for any visible cracks in the foundation or bricks, particularly near corners.
These symptoms don’t always indicate major problems, but they are worth investigating. If you notice any of them, don’t wait to act. Schedule a free foundation inspection with us to get a professional opinion.
How to Protect Your Foundation from Freezing Temperatures
When prepping for winter, you probably think about HVAC tune-ups and insulating pipes – smart moves, for sure. But your foundation needs attention too! While you can’t control the weather, you can take some preventative steps to minimize any potential damage during winter freezes.
Here’s some practical tips on how to keep your foundation in good shape during the colder months in Texas – particularly during December, January and February:
Seal Any Cracks
Inspect your foundation walls, especially around the edges of your home. For cracks wider than 1/2 inch, give us a call for professional help. Smaller cracks? Use an epoxy filler to stop moisture from sneaking in and causing damage.
Clear Snow Away from Your Foundation
Snow in Texas might not be a regular visitor, but when it does show up, it’s best to be prepared. After a rare snowstorm, be sure to shovel snow away from your home’s perimeter. Melting snow can erode the soil and cause water to pool near your foundation – which is a recipe for trouble.
Clean Your Gutters
Don’t let clogged gutters send melting snow and rain spilling over the roofline. Once the trees are bare, grab a ladder and clear out leaves and debris to ensure water flows properly through the downspouts away from your home.
Grade Your Yard
Check that the ground around your home slopes downward, directing water away from your foundation. Pooling water near your home can lead to foundation problems over time, so make sure your landscaping keeps it moving in the right direction to avoid foundation related drainage problems.
Keep the Soil Around Your Home Moist During Dry Winters
During dry winters, the soil around your home can shrink, creating gaps that allow water to pool when it finally does rain. To prevent this, use soaker hoses or sprinklers to maintain consistent moisture levels around your foundation – even in colder months.
Insulate Exposed Pipes
A burst pipe can quickly lead to water saturating the soil around your foundation. Insulate pipes in unheated areas, like your crawl space or exterior walls, to prevent them from freezing during a cold snap.
If you have a slab foundation, freezing temperatures typically aren’t as much of a concern since the soil and pipes beneath stay insulated by the ground and house. However, with a pier and beam foundation, the open crawlspace can expose pipes to freezing. If they burst, it can lead to flooding and, in severe cases, foundation movement.
Inspect Your Foundation Regularly
Take a few minutes every few weeks to walk around your home and look for signs of movement or damage. The earlier you catch an issue, the easier and less expensive it will be to fix.
If you’re unsure how to implement these strategies or suspect your foundation may already be compromised, give us a call. We offer free foundation inspections to help you address problems before they worsen.
Why Trust Pinnacle Foundation Repair?
When it comes to something as important as your foundation, you need a partner you can trust. Here’s why North Texas homeowners have relied on us for three generations:
* Experience That Spans Generations: With decades of knowledge passed down, we’ve seen it all and know how to solve even the toughest foundation challenges.
* Radical Honesty: Our assessments are straightforward and transparent. We won’t recommend repairs you don’t need – ever.
* Over 1,600 5-Star Google Reviews: Homeowners across Texas rave about our professionalism, quality of work, and commitment to customer satisfaction.
When you trust us with the home you love, you can rest easy knowing it’s in expert hands.
Next Steps: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Winter freezes are just one of many challenges your foundation might face, but proactive care can make all the difference. Stay ahead of potential problems this winter by keeping an eye out for warning signs and maintaining proper moisture and drainage around your home.
If you’re worried about your foundation or just want peace of mind, contact Pinnacle today to schedule your free inspection. Our team of experts is here to help you protect your home and avoid costly repairs down the road.
