Winter’s Hidden Threat: How Freeze-Thaw Cycles Silently Destroy Long Island Foundations

Long Island homeowners know winter brings its share of challenges, but one of the most destructive forces affecting your home happens silently beneath the surface. The freeze-thaw cycle is a natural occurrence that takes place when temperatures fluctuate between freezing and thawing. This phenomenon is particularly common during the winter months, where temperatures can drop below freezing at night and rise above freezing during the day. The constant expansion and contraction of moisture within building materials, soil, and concrete can wreak havoc on your home’s foundation over time.

Understanding the Freeze-Thaw Process

When we do our inspections on Long Island in the winter, the temperatures typically hover between 20° and 40° which means that water is continually freezing and then thawing. So if something is wet, and then there is a freeze, the water turns to ice and expands with substantial force and can stretch or break whatever the material is. This process becomes particularly dangerous when it affects your foundation.

It is said that water can expand by 9% when frozen. This freezing of the water will start to put pressure on anything surrounding it. When water seeps into cracks or other openings in structures, then freezes and expands, it causes those openings to widen, causing damage. Over time, the wider openings lead to more water finding its way into structures, resulting in a slow but exponential wearing down of their integrity and stability.

Why Long Island is Particularly Vulnerable

Long Island’s unique climate and coastal conditions make concrete structures especially vulnerable to freeze-thaw damage. Fluctuating winter temperatures frequently shift above and below freezing, accelerating the freeze-thaw cycle. This constant temperature variation causes trapped water within concrete to repeatedly expand and contract, leading to cracks, scaling, and other forms of damage.

High humidity levels and frequent exposure to salty air and coastal flooding weaken concrete over time, making it more susceptible to freeze-thaw damage. The region’s sandy soils can also contribute to uneven settling, creating stress points that worsen with the freeze-thaw cycle.

How Freeze-Thaw Cycles Damage Your Foundation

The freeze thaw cycle also can cause problems with foundations. Let’s say there is a heavy rain and water has collected in the soil next to the foundation. We get a deep freeze and again, the water turns to ice and expands and puts pressure on the foundation wall. If the foundation is made of poured concrete it probably won’t have any impact, but once in a while, we do see foundation cracks from soil expansion.

The damage becomes more severe with different foundation materials. If the foundation is made of masonry blocks, serious problems can happen with the foundation, including long horizontal cracks which can be very problematic. A long horizontal crack indicates that the foundation is “bulging” inwards. As time goes on, the bulging increases to the point where expensive repairs may be required.

Frost heave occurs in the winter when saturated ground soil freezes, expands, and pushes upward against the foundation of a home or building. This movement, known as foundation heave, can cause cracks and structural damage to your home. Heaving occurs when the ground beneath your foundation freezes and expands, pushing against the foundation. This upward pressure can cause uneven floors, sticking doors and windows, and even visible bulges in your foundation walls.

Warning Signs: When to Call for Emergency Repairs

Recognizing the signs of freeze-thaw damage early can save you thousands in repairs. If you see cracks in your foundation walls, especially horizontal or stair-step cracks, you must call a Long Island foundation repair expert. If left ignored, your foundation will continue to weaken, and the cracks will grow larger. Eventually, the walls will be at risk of collapse.

Here are critical warning signs that require immediate professional attention:

• Large cracks, especially horizontal and diagonal cracks on your foundation
• Doors and windows start becoming sticky, this means that the shutters have fallen out of place with their frames. This can be due to foundation movements which affect the position of the walls as well as the doors and windows. Also, if your floor suddenly becomes uneven or slants, then your house needs foundation repair.
• Bowing of foundation walls can occur due to hydrostatic pressure from the earth that borders the foundation. This can cause major cracks and lead to notable damage if no action is taken.
• Water pooling around the foundation: This can lead to water damage and mold growth. Bowed or leaning walls: This is a serious issue that requires immediate attention.

If you notice any of these signs, particularly after a harsh winter, don’t wait. For homeowners in the Northport area seeking professional help, foundation repair in Northport services should be contacted immediately to prevent further deterioration.

Prevention Strategies

While freeze-thaw damage can be challenging to prevent entirely, several strategies can minimize its impact:

• Ensure your gutters and downspouts are clean and direct water away from your foundation. Poor drainage can pool water around your foundation, increasing the risk of freeze-thaw damage.
• Adding insulation to your foundation can help maintain a stable temperature, reducing the risk of freeze-thaw cycles. Insulation can be applied externally or internally, depending on your home’s design.
• Regularly inspect your foundation for cracks and gaps. Sealing these openings with a high-quality sealant can prevent water from entering and freezing within the foundation.
• Schedule annual foundation inspections, especially before and after winter. This allows you to catch potential issues early before they become major problems and address any vulnerabilities before the freeze-thaw cycle begins.

Professional Solutions

One of the most significant facts homeowners often miss is that foundation problems worsen over time. If you see cracks in your foundation walls, especially horizontal or stair-step cracks, you must call a Long Island foundation repair expert. If left ignored, your foundation will continue to weaken, and the cracks will grow larger. Instead of risking collapse and paying hefty fees to replace your foundation, you are much better off tackling the problem as soon as possible by having a foundation repair company, like ACM, visit your Long Island home to correct the issues before they get out of hand.

For Long Island residents, Diamond Basement Waterproofing offers comprehensive solutions. Diamond Basement Waterproofing, a division of Diamond Masonry & Waterproofing, has been servicing Long Island since 2000. Over this time, we have been able to help hundreds of customers solve their basement waterproofing needs. We are a family-owned business, and we operate efficiently without a lot of overhead like many of the larger companies servicing the Long Island market. This enables us to deliver more affordable solutions to our customers.

For over 25 years, Diamond Masonry & Waterproofing has been the trusted name for masonry and waterproofing services. Anything from wet basements and foundation cracks to water damage, we’ve helped homeowners protect their homes with reliable solutions that last. We know the frustration that comes with a wet basement, which is why we provide cost-effective waterproofing solutions that work. Our experienced team has been doing this for years, so you can trust us to make sure your home stays dry and secure. At Diamond Masonry & Waterproofing, we’ve got the expertise to keep your foundation safe with the care, precision, and quality your home deserves.

Don’t Wait Until Spring

If foundation problems are not fixed, not only do repairs eventually become very costly, but it can lead to structural damage to the house above. Eventually, if the foundation problems are allowed to persist, the foundation walls can cave in or collapse. That’s after other issues like flooding and mold have likely been allowed to develop.

Winter freeze-thaw cycles are an ongoing threat to Long Island foundations, but with proper awareness, prevention, and prompt professional intervention when problems arise, you can protect your home’s structural integrity. While issues that appear minor on the surface might seem to be DIY-friendly, foundation repair can be a complex process. It’s best to consult professionals like Groundworks for structural foundation problems, ensuring accurate diagnosis and lasting repairs.

Remember, the cost of prevention and early intervention is always less than the price of major structural repairs or foundation replacement. If you notice any warning signs this winter or spring, don’t hesitate to contact a qualified foundation repair specialist immediately.