When winter rolls in, we focus on staying warm and cozy, but it’s easy to forget about the health of our home itself. All that beautiful snow and ice can hide some serious risks. The reality is, how winter weather affects your house, especially its foundation, can lead to major problems down the road. The constant cycle of freezing and thawing can cause cracks, while melting snow saturates the ground, putting immense pressure on your foundation walls. Let’s look at the three biggest ways winter puts your foundation to the test.
Hydrostatic Pressure
This occurs when pressure on the soil becomes saturated with water and expands when the soil becomes saturated to place a huge force against your foundation walls.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles
When a freeze and thaw cycle occurs, it can damage your concrete driveway, but it can also damage your foundation. The damage begins when the water is absorbed into the outside of your foundation, freezes, and then expands. The expansion develops a lot of pressure on the foundation, forcing it to crack.
After the freeze and thaw cycle occurs, it can compound the damage. The water that begins to seep into the small cracks of your foundation could freeze and push the sides of the crack apart, causing the crack to widen. This can occur with every freeze and thaw cycle.
Erosion
Erosion can be caused by rain, sleet, and melting snow throughout your yard. This can cause issues for your foundation as well. The grade within your yard should slope away from your foundation to help direct the waterway, but the erosion can also alter the slope. Any water that travels down can erode the soil and expose your foundation walls.
Erosions can appear if your downspout directs water near your home/ A downspout needs to be extended 5-10 feet out from your yard to avoid water near your foundation walls. If your experiencing your downspout is being close to your home, contact a Foundation Diagnosis and Design Specialist today and see how our team can help you and your family prevent water from causing issues to your foundation.
Winter weather can be challenging for you, your family, and your home. The wet and cold weather can both cause damage to your foundation when combined. Our team here at Vesta Foundation Solution wants to help your and your family reduce any further foundation damage.
How Winter Weather Affects Your Health
While we’re busy protecting our homes from the harsh Oklahoma winter, it’s just as important to remember how the cold affects our bodies and minds. The same dropping temperatures that threaten your foundation can also take a toll on your physical and mental well-being. From putting extra strain on your heart to impacting your mood, winter weather has a wide range of effects. Understanding these risks is the first step toward a safe and healthy season, allowing you to enjoy the cozy moments without overlooking potential health concerns for you and your family.
How Cold Air Impacts Your Body
When you step outside into the biting cold, your body immediately starts working harder to protect itself. This response triggers several physiological changes that can affect everything from your circulation to your immune system. The cold, dry air can be particularly harsh, irritating your respiratory system and drying out your skin. Even if you feel fine, your body is constantly adjusting to the stress of the cold, which can lead to both minor discomforts and more significant health issues if you aren’t careful. Let’s look at some of the specific ways cold air can impact your physical health.
Strain on Your Heart and Circulation
The cold weather can be tough on your cardiovascular system. According to the American Heart Association, when temperatures drop, your blood vessels constrict, or narrow, to conserve heat and maintain your core body temperature. This process increases your blood pressure because your heart has to pump harder to circulate blood through those smaller vessels. For some people, especially those with pre-existing heart conditions, this added strain can increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Breathing and Lung Problems
If you’ve ever felt a catch in your throat when breathing in frigid air, you’ve experienced its effect on your respiratory system. Cold, dry air can irritate your airways and lungs. For individuals with conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), this irritation can trigger symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It’s a good idea to cover your mouth and nose with a scarf when you’re outside to help warm and humidify the air before it reaches your lungs.
Sinus Issues and a Weakened Immune System
That runny nose you get almost instantly in the winter isn’t just in your head. Cold air dries out the protective mucus lining in your nasal passages. In response, your body ramps up mucus production to compensate, leading to a runny nose. Unfortunately, that initial dryness can make you more susceptible to viruses and infections. This is especially concerning when you spend more time indoors, where poor air quality from a damp basement can further compromise your respiratory health. Ensuring your home is dry with proper basement waterproofing can help create a healthier indoor environment.
Dry Skin and Joint Pain
Winter is notorious for causing dry, itchy, and flaky skin. The combination of cold, low-humidity air outside and dry, heated air inside strips your skin of its natural moisture. While cold weather doesn’t cause arthritis, many people with joint pain report that their symptoms worsen during the winter. Changes in barometric pressure can cause tendons, muscles, and the surrounding tissues to expand and contract, leading to increased pain in joints affected by arthritis.
Serious Cold-Related Illnesses
Beyond the common discomforts, prolonged exposure to cold can lead to severe and life-threatening medical emergencies. Conditions like hypothermia and frostbite occur when your body can no longer cope with the extreme cold. These illnesses require immediate medical attention and can happen faster than you might think, especially in windy or wet conditions. Knowing the signs and symptoms is crucial for staying safe during the coldest parts of the year, whether you’re working outside or just enjoying winter activities.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a dangerous drop in body temperature, falling below 95°F. It happens when your body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Early signs include shivering, fatigue, and loss of coordination. As it progresses, it can cause confusion, slurred speech, and drowsiness. Because it affects your thinking, you may not realize you need help. It’s a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention to prevent complications like heart failure.
Frostbite
Frostbite is an injury caused by the freezing of the skin and underlying tissues. It most often affects extremities like fingers, toes, the nose, and ears. The lack of blood flow can cause numbness and a white or grayish-yellow appearance to the skin. In severe cases, frostbite can lead to permanent damage and even amputation. If you suspect frostbite, it’s important to get to a warm place and seek medical care right away.
The Impact of Winter on Mental Health
The shift into winter doesn’t just affect our physical health; it can also have a significant impact on our mental and emotional well-being. The shorter days, reduced sunlight, and tendency to stay indoors more often can disrupt our routines and moods. For many, the “winter blues” are a temporary feeling, but for others, it can develop into a more serious form of depression. Recognizing how the season affects your mental state is key to taking proactive steps to manage your well-being.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression related to changes in seasons. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms typically begin in the fall and continue through the winter months, draining your energy and making you feel moody. While the exact causes are unknown, reduced sunlight can disrupt your body’s internal clock and lower levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that affects mood. Treatment may include light therapy, psychotherapy, and medication.
Staying Safe in Cold Weather
With all the potential risks, it’s clear that taking precautions during the winter is essential. The good news is that most cold-related health issues are preventable. A little preparation and awareness can go a long way in keeping you and your loved ones safe and comfortable all season long. It starts with understanding who is most at risk and then adopting simple, effective habits to protect yourself from the elements. From dressing appropriately to knowing when to stay inside, these safety measures can make all the difference.
Identifying Vulnerable Groups
While everyone needs to be careful in the cold, some people are more vulnerable to its effects. The very young and the elderly are at the highest risk. Infants lose body heat more easily than adults and can’t tell you when they’re cold. Older adults may have underlying health conditions, like heart disease or diabetes, that make it harder for their bodies to regulate temperature. They may also be less aware of becoming cold, so it’s important to check on elderly family and neighbors frequently during cold snaps.
Key Safety Recommendations
The best defense against the cold is to dress for it. Wearing multiple, loose-fitting layers is more effective than one heavy coat because the air trapped between layers acts as insulation. Always cover your head, hands, and feet with a warm hat, gloves, and socks, as a significant amount of body heat is lost through these areas. The National Weather Service also recommends staying dry, as wet clothing chills the body quickly. Limit your time outdoors during extreme cold, and be sure to stay hydrated and nourished to help your body produce heat.
How Cold Weather Affects Plants
Just as our bodies and homes need protection from the winter cold, so do the plants in our yards and gardens. The same freezing temperatures that can crack concrete can also be devastating to plant life, especially during an unexpected cold snap. For homeowners who take pride in their landscaping, understanding how cold weather affects plants is key to ensuring they survive the winter and thrive again in the spring. Protecting your plants is another important part of winterizing your entire property.
Understanding Freeze and Frost
A “freeze” occurs when the air temperature drops to 32°F or below, which is damaging to most plants. Frost can form even when the air temperature is slightly above freezing, as surfaces can cool down faster than the air around them. A hard freeze, where temperatures stay well below freezing for several hours, can kill plant tissues and even entire root systems. To protect vulnerable plants, you can cover them with blankets or tarps before sunset to trap ground heat or bring potted plants indoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first signs of foundation damage I should look for after winter? Once the snow melts, take a walk around your home and look for new cracks in the visible concrete of your foundation. Inside, pay attention to doors and windows that suddenly stick or don’t close properly, as this can indicate shifting. You might also notice new cracks appearing in your drywall, especially over doorways or where walls meet the ceiling. These are often the earliest clues that the winter weather has taken a toll.
How can I prevent water from damaging my foundation in the first place? Your first line of defense is good water management. Make sure your gutters are clean and that your downspouts direct water at least five feet away from your home. You should also check that the soil around your foundation slopes away from the house, not toward it. For more persistent water issues, a professional waterproofing system, like an interior drain or a sump pump, provides a more permanent solution to keep your basement or crawl space dry.
How exactly does a wet basement affect my family’s health? A damp or wet basement creates a high-humidity environment that is the perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, and dust mites. These allergens don’t stay in the basement; they can circulate throughout your entire home via your HVAC system. This can worsen allergies, trigger asthma attacks, and lead to other respiratory problems, impacting the overall air quality your family breathes every day.
Are all foundation cracks a serious problem? Not every crack is a sign of a major issue. Tiny, hairline cracks can sometimes be a normal part of a house settling over time. However, you should be concerned about cracks that are horizontal, wider than a quarter of an inch, or actively letting in water. The best way to know for sure is to have a specialist take a look. They can determine the cause of the crack and tell you if it’s something that needs to be addressed.
What happens during a professional foundation inspection? When a specialist comes to your home, they will perform a complete visual assessment of both the interior and exterior of your foundation. They’ll look for the signs we’ve discussed, take measurements to assess any settling or bowing, and identify the source of any water intrusion. It’s a chance for you to get a clear diagnosis of what’s happening and ask any questions you have about the health of your home.
Key Takeaways
- Winter Puts Your Foundation Under Serious Stress: The constant cycle of freezing, thawing, and melting snow can create new cracks and put immense pressure on your foundation walls. Keep an eye on your home’s base during these months, as small issues can quickly become major repairs.
- Your Health is Also Vulnerable in the Cold: Winter weather doesn’t just impact your house; it affects your body and mind. Be aware of how the cold can strain your heart, impact your breathing, and influence your mood so you can take proactive steps to stay well.
- A Dry Foundation Promotes Better Health: The link between your home’s condition and your well-being is direct. Water intrusion from foundation issues can lead to damp basements and poor indoor air quality, which can compromise your family’s respiratory health.