Basement and Snow: What Every Homeowner Should Know

With the start of winter comes snow and ice in the Midwest. Many families welcome the first snowfall because it means sledding, building snowmen, and cozy evenings spent indoors. While the winter weather can be enjoyable, it also brings challenges that go beyond slippery roads and ice driveways. In this blog, we will go over the effects snow can have on your basement, what signs to look out for, and the steps to take when you notice these signs. 

How Snow Can Affect Your Basement

Snow and ice may look harmless while they rest on your yard, but the real concerns begin as temperatures shift. When snow melts, water soaks into the soil around your home and becomes heavier, increasing the pressure against your foundation walls. Additionally, during the freeze and thaw cycles, the soil would expand and contract, creating even more stress to your home. 

Over time, this pressure leads to issues such as bowing foundation walls, widening cracks, or small openings where water begins to seep. Many homeowners notice symptoms like damp or discolored floor edges, musty smells, or visible water leaks during periods of rapid melting. These early signs often indicate the need for an interior basement drainage system or other waterproofing basement solutions that can redirect water before it enters the living space.

How Freezing Temperatures Affect Your Waterproofing Products

Cold weather can also impact the performance of your waterproofing products. When temperatures drop, water that collects in your discharge line can freeze and block the system. A frozen discharge line can prevent your sump pump from releasing water, which may cause the pump to run continuously or burn out. In severe cases, the water has nowhere to go and can back up into the basement.

This is why products like our IceGuard are essential for winter weather. IceGuard allows water to escape even if the exterior discharge line freezes. This keeps your sump system operating properly and helps prevent basement flooding during the coldest days of the year. Without this type of protection, your sump pump and interior drainage systems are at a much higher risk of clogging or failing when you need them most.

Other Winter Weather Risks

Winter weather can easily overwhelm older drainage systems. When melting snow pools around the perimeter of your home, water can push through weak points in the foundation. This can lead to a leaky or flooded basement. Homes without a dependable drainage system or reliable sump pump face an even higher risk once temperatures rise again.

Moisture exposure also affects the strength of your foundation. Bowing walls, widening cracks, and persistent wet areas rarely improve on their own. These problems continue to worsen as pressure builds throughout the winter. Many homeowners wait until the damage becomes costly, even though early attention and the right wet basement waterproofing products could have protected the space earlier. 

The Importance of Addressing the Issues Immediately

Basement issues should never be ignored. Even a small leak or a slight shift in the foundation can worsen as snow and ice continue to melt and refreeze. Addressing these issues early protects your home value, prevents mold growth, and helps you maintain a dry and healthy basement. Acting before the spring melt also lowers the risk of basement flooding and unexpected repairs.

If you've noticed water leaks in your basement or signs of foundation movement, now is the time to take action. Schedule your FREE inspection with a trusted contractor like American Waterworks. Our team can recommend the best basement repair solutions customized for your home and the issues you are experiencing. 

Ready to take action? Contact us today at 1-507-260-0764 or click HERE and take the first step toward a dry and healthy basement all winter long!