Here in the GTA, we are no strangers to heavy snowfall. Blizzards are treacherous for so many reasons–roads, driving conditions, freezing temperatures, flooding from massive snow melt, the list goes on– but one reason that many don’t think of is the damage it can cause to your home’s foundation. Think about it: what kind of damage do you see to homes in a flood? Sure you won’t have the damage that comes from rushing water crashing into the structure and breaking windows, flooding the interior of a home, but those floods that seep into populated areas with even just a few inches of water around a structure cause lasting damage that needs to be addressed immediately to prevent crumbling structures and foundation damage.
Much of this damage can be in danger of occurring from blizzards, and it’s actually less likely to be taken care of because there isn’t immediate, massive structural damage like you see in a flood.
To start, there is actually the weight of all of that snow to take into consideration, particularly if you haven’t had your home’s foundation assessed for cracks or damage recently. If there is already a chink in the “armor” of your home, the pressure of so many pounds of snow could cause small cracks to fissure further, becoming large splits in your foundation. Not only is this a danger for the sturdiness of your home, but it paves the way for even more damage with what comes next–snow melt.
Remember– flooding can cause great harm simply with the sheer amount of water damage to your home, and melting snow can and will do the same. With the larger cracks and fissures in your home’s foundation, whether they were already present or a result from the pressure of heavy snowfall, snow melt is far more likely to leak into your basement and weaken your home’s foundation further. Not to mention, the ground around your home’s foundation will be more susceptible to small sinkholes and slides so you’ll want to be sure your foundation is as sturdy as possible.
If you have concerns about your home’s foundation from this recent blizzard, contact our team today so we can assess the situation once the snow has cleared and get started on safety improvements as soon as possible. If your foundation doesn’t appear to have any damage yet but you want to ensure you’re set before the next severe winter storm, our team is happy to help you be prepared and keep you and your family safe with a sturdy home foundation.
