Kansas City Weather: Hidden Impact on Your Home Foundation

Different Ways the Weather Impacts Your Home's Foundation

In Kansas City, foundation issues are common for the type of soil present. How the soil expands and contracts depending on the presence and absence of water is a really big concern. Also, the unpredictable weather in Kansas City plays a major role.

Spring rains can cause cracks in foundation walls and create beam pockets. Summer can cause drought and soil erosion. Winter can cause basement leaks and frozen discharge lines. 

You can experience the issues in all four seasons in Kansas City, but unfortunately, they can even occur within the same week. This unpredictable weather takes a toll on the foundation throughout the year. Let’s know more about how different weather can impact your home’s foundation health.

Spring Rains and Their Impact on Your Foundation

You know the spring in Kansas City is likely incomplete without the heavy rain. Historically late spring to early summer is the wettest season of the year in Kansas City. 

The average annual rain precipitation in Kansas City is 1066 mm or almost 42 inches. It is even higher than the national average annual precipitation—30.21 inches. This spring rain comes with its own challenges for your house foundation. For instance:

Cracks in Foundation Walls

During the spring season, the spring rains cause clay expansion. It leads to several issues with the foundation walls. 

As the clay expands due to the spring rain, it exerts pressure on your foundation wall. You may also notice visible cracks due to the continued pressure.

Moreover, if your house has a poured concrete foundation, you will likely see cracks on each end of the wall. If this happens, this crack will cause the inward movement of the wall at the middle portion.

However, the spring is not the only season for rains. Those who live in the Midwest know and understand how quickly our weather can change. Fall is known for some rainfall as well.

Beam Pocket Issues

If you notice beam pockets jutting out of your house, it will be another problem due to spring rains. 

You may think that it is just the beam that is moving. But that is not the case. In fact, it is the wall moving inward. It occurs when the clay expands due to rain and exerts excessive, long-term pressure in almost every situation.

Effects of Summer on Your Foundation

The summer warmth of Kansas also has its fair share of impact on the foundation of the houses. Check it out below to see how this season affects the foundation's health. 

Drought 

The excessive heat of the summer can be detrimental to your house foundation in Kansas City. The potential drought due to this heat leads to the soil shriveling and shrinking. 

Due to this, the soil will not be able to provide steady support to maintain the weight of your house. In the worst-case scenario, you will notice cracks in the walls, sometimes even in the exterior of the house. 

Soil Erosion 

Soil erosion is a common concern for your house foundation when the summer months start, but rain is still present. It can wash out the soil around your home foundation due to poor drainage or flooding. 

No wonder it can also affect the driveway or sidewalk. Even if there is no rain, high wind can also wash out the soil. However, when the soil washes out, it creates a pool of water around the foundation. It can also create air, causing leaks and cracks under your concrete.

Impact of Winter Weather on Your Foundation

Although Kansas City has warmed in recent years, ice and snow are still a matter of concern. In winter, snow and ice can cause several problems to your home’s foundation. It will be detrimental to your house's foundation, concrete, and basement. 

Basement Leaks 

In the winter season, when the snow generally piles around your house and melts down, it creates puddles near the foundation. The clay soil of Kansas City absorbs the melted snow water and expands.

The water pressure is built up, and it pushes against the underground structures and concrete foundation of your home. Over time, it causes the bow, crack of your foundation wall, and the cove joints. 

Frozen Discharge Lines 

Generally, a sump pump has drainage lines. It is generally set up to redirect the water that is collected in your home. 

But in the winter season, these drainage lines can freeze down. So when the drainage lines freeze up due to ice buildup, it prevents the water from draining from your home. As a result, the water backs up and sometimes breaks your sump pump. 

These frozen discharge lines may also flood out your basement or crawl space. Moreover, the moisture level of the soil can also be increased, enhancing the risk of foundation damage. 

Frost Heave Cycle 

Frost heave happens when the water freezes beneath the soil of your foundation. If the ice forms and is poorly drained, it will expand the soil moisture. 

As a result, the hydrostatic pressure of the soil will increase, and it will push against the wall of your home foundation. In the worst-case scenario, the foundation will experience severe cracks in the middle. 

Unfortunately, you will never be able to return the former glory of the foundation of your home if this happens. 

That’s why you should keep a close eye on the foundation this winter and contact our experts, PierMagic Foundation Specialists, as soon as there are even minor issues. Our experts can help you reverse the winter foundation damage to your home in Kansas City.

Effects of Fall Weather on Your Foundation

The season is not harsh for the foundation of your house, but it is the ideal time to schedule its repairs. Although the repairs can be done any time in the year, it’s truly a convenient time. 

There is less hustle and bustle in the summer months, and the weather is milder! You can complete the structural repairs, waterproofing, or concrete lifting of your house in this favorable weather of fall in Kansas City.

As you can see, the different weather conditions in Kansas City can have a marked impact on your house's foundation. 

Your house will require attention and experts to cope with the challenge of the weather. Whether it’s the harshness of the winter or the challenges of the summer drought, you’ll need to let the professionals handle it.  Reach out the professionals at PierMagic for a free estimate. 816-765-4800