Owning a home in Muncie, Indiana is a source of pride, but it also means understanding the impact of Muncie weather on your home’s foundation.
We all know that Midwestern weather can be unpredictable. However, you may not know how these drastic weather changes affect your house at its core.
It’s easy to overlook our foundations because they’re out of sight, out of mind. However, they play a crucial role in the stability and structural integrity of your entire home.
Understanding the impact of Muncie weather on your home’s foundation can save you from major headaches in the future.
Features of Seasonal Weather Patterns in Muncie, Indiana
Let’s take a closer look at the distinct characteristics of Muncie’s weather throughout the year:
Winter
Muncie winters are known for cold temperatures, commonly dipping below freezing. USA TODAY reports an annual snowfall of around 22 inches, which leads to another factor: freeze-thaw cycles.
When snow melts during the day and refreezes at night, the soil expands and contracts, potentially putting pressure on your foundation and causing foundation freeze.
Summer
Summers in Muncie get pretty humid with temperatures that can rise well into the 80s. Most of the 40 inches of rainfall that Muncie receives annually happens in the summer.
This can saturate the soil, causing it to expand and put strain on your foundation walls, which may require concrete leveling or other repair solutions.
3. Spring
Spring brings a lot of rain to Muncie, and since it’s following the winter freeze-thaw cycles, the soil is already susceptible to shifts and changes. Spring rains make the ground especially prone to saturation.
This is bad news for foundations, particularly those built on clay-rich soils, making a battery backup for your sump pump essential.
4. Fall
After a hot, humid summer, fall in Muncie brings drier conditions. While that may seem like a welcome change, dry spells can cause the soil around your foundation to shrink.
This contraction can create gaps between your foundation and the surrounding earth, leading to settling and potentially requiring the help of foundation repair specialists.
Effects of Muncie Weather Patterns on Building Foundations
Let’s take a closer look at how those features directly affect your house foundation.
Cracks in the Foundation
Fluctuating temperatures and moisture levels can cause your foundation to expand and contract.
This movement, especially common during the spring thaw and freeze-thaw cycles of winter, can lead to the formation of cracks in the foundation.
2. Foundation Settling or Sinking
When soil expands and contracts due to moisture variations, it can become unstable and lead to foundation settling.
Settling can cause one side of your house to sink lower than the other, leading to uneven floors.
3. Bowing Basement Walls
During heavy rainfall, the water-saturated soil exerts immense pressure on basement walls.
If your home doesn’t have proper drainage, the excess water can build up, creating hydrostatic pressure. As the pressure builds, basement walls can start bowing inwards.
4. Sticking Windows and Doors
As a foundation settles or cracks, it can throw off the alignment of your home’s framing. This makes doors and windows difficult to open and close.
It can feel like a minor nuisance at first, but it’s a strong indicator of potential foundation issues.
5 Best Practices for Protecting Your Foundation in Muncie
So, what can homeowners in Muncie do to protect their houses against the volatile Indiana weather?
These five tips will give your home’s foundation a fighting chance:
1. Manage Water Runoff
Pay close attention to your gutters and downspouts. It’s important to make sure they’re free from debris and directing water away from your foundation.
Consider extending your downspouts with splash blocks or underground drain pipes.
2. Maintain Consistent Soil Moisture
Keeping your foundation’s surrounding soil consistently moist but not oversaturated will go a long way in preventing shifts.
Water your foundation perimeter during dry periods. This helps reduce contraction and expansion caused by fluctuating moisture levels.
3. Grade Your Yard Properly
Your yard should slope away from your house, not towards it. This helps rainwater drain away rather than collecting around the foundation.
It’s a good idea to periodically inspect your landscaping to make sure the grade hasn’t settled or changed, creating new dips where water can collect.
4. Plant Trees Strategically
Trees offer many benefits to homeowners, but large trees planted too close to the foundation can be detrimental.
Their roots seek moisture, drawing it away from the soil around your foundation and leading to dryness and contraction.
5. Schedule Professional Foundation Inspections
For peace of mind, it’s a good idea to schedule a free foundation inspection from a qualified foundation repair company. They have trained eyes that can catch subtle foundation problems you might miss.
Foundation repair experts will also have solutions specifically designed to address Muncie’s unique climate challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep a Stable Foundation Through The Seasons
Muncie’s varying weather, from those cold, snowy winters to hot and humid summers, can take a toll on foundations. With these helpful tips, you’re already better equipped to understand those effects.
If you suspect Muncie weather has already caused some damage to your foundation, don’t wait a second longer. Crossroads Foundation Repair is ready to serve Muncie homeowners through all seasons and weather. Our licensed experts ensure reliable foundation repairs in Muncie, IN that last for decades.
Call us today for a free inspection.
