Why Your Basement Could Leak During The Winter
Why Your Basement Could Leak During The Winter
While homeowners are so focused about the holidays during the winter, it's always good to be mindful of our own basements during these freezing times. Heavy rainfall, in general, causes floods in many basements year round. But some may not be aware that floods and leaks are very common during the winter. Here are several reasons why your basement could be leaking during this time of year!
1. Snow
Moisture doesn't always come from the rain. Snow seems more innocent, but in reality it's just frozen water. So when the house radiates heat, it causes hydrostatic pressure. This is basically a downward pull of gravity that forces the water and moisture into the basement. So sadly, the snow won't disappear like frosty the snowman. Instead, finds its way through the cracks of any foundation.
2. Freezing Temperature
Nobody likes the cold, especially any sump pump known to man kind. The primary function of a sump pump is to discharge the water away from the house. But when temperatures become too cold, the drainage line connected to the sump could freeze. This can lead to water getting backed up into your basement. It would never hurt to have one of our IceGuards installed to ensure that won't happen!
3. The Soil Type
Some people may think soil is completely harmless when surrounding the basement, but it can cause potential issues depending on the type. The correct soil helps drain the moisture into the earthly ground instead of a basement. Clay soil is known to be the best when it comes to preventing leaks because the material itself can absorb the moisture. If clay soil isn't readily available, a good substitute would be clean filled dirt topped off with stone!
