How Drought Can Affect Your Home's Foundation

When we think about foundation problems, we often think of heavy rain, snowmelt, or water seeping into the basement. But did you know that dry conditions and drought can cause major problems for your home's foundation?

 

As of today, the U.S. Drought Monitor classifies the entire state of Maine as being in a moderate to extreme drought. A drought doesn't mean your foundation is automatically in trouble, but prolonged dry weather can change the soils around your home and contribute to foundation movement.

 

How Can Drought Affect Your Foundation?

 

Drought will dry out the soil around your home, which causes the soil to shrink and pull away from the foundation or beneath footings. Your home relies on soil for support, so the gaps caused by soil shrinkage allow the home to settle and shift rather than being supported. As the home settles, major problems like foundation cracks, or uneven floors, can rear their ugly head.

 

Foundation Cracks

Vertical cracks are pretty common in foundation walls, and most are hairline or cosmetic cracks. If a vertical crack is wider at the top than the bottom, or is getting wider over time, it may be a cause for concern. 

 

 

Horizontal cracks and stair step cracks are the bigger red flags, indicating the wall is moving. Horizontal cracking comes from the wall bowing, often due to hydrostatic pressure.

 

 

Stair step cracks can indicate the wall is bowing, or it can be a sign the home is settling and sinking. 

 

Settlement of the home can also lead to uneven or sloped floors, sticking doors and windows, or interior wall cracks. 

 

What To Do If You Suspect Your Home Is Settling

 

You can take photos of foundation cracks to monitor for any changes over time. Keep an eye out for uneven floors, interior wall cracks, or sticking doors or windows that are caused by foundation shifts. If you notice any of the above symptoms that your home may be settling, get a professional opinion. These problems do not go away on their own, they only get worse over time. TC Hafford Basement Systems provides free, no-obligation estimates to evaluate your foundation. Call us today, 1-207-641-8600, or book your free estimate online: https://www.tchaffordbasementsystems.com/free-estimate.html