How Does Winter Weather Affect Foundations in St. Louis?
If you’ve lived through a few St. Louis winters, you know the wild temperature swings and wet-to-frozen soil cycles aren’t just tough on roads, they’re tough on your foundation, too.
Winter weather introduces a perfect storm of conditions that can damage foundations: freeze-thaw cycles, expanding soils, hydrostatic pressure, and shifting moisture levels. At Perma Jack of St. Louis, we specialize in identifying and solving these seasonal foundation problems before they become major structural issues.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Small Cracks Become Big Problems
In winter, moisture in the soil and tiny cracks in your foundation can freeze and expand. When water freezes, it expands by about 9%, pushing outward on concrete walls and slabs. As temperatures rise and the ice thaws, that moisture can seep deeper only to refreeze again.
This repeated expansion and contraction leads to:
- Widening foundation cracks
- Cracked concrete slabs
- Flaking or spalling concrete surfaces
St. Louis’s fluctuating winter temps create ideal conditions for this cycle to happen over and over again.
Expansive Soils and Frost Heave
Our region has its fair share of expansive clay soils—the kind that swell when wet and shrink when dry. In winter, these soil movements are amplified by frost heave. This occurs when the moist soil beneath your foundation freezes and expands, creating uneven upward pressure.
Over time, this can lead to:
- Cracked foundation walls
- Heaving or sinking floors
- Gaps between walls and ceilings
- Tilted or leaning chimneys
Frost heave is particularly damaging to shallow footings and concrete slabs, such as driveways, sidewalks, and porches.
Hydrostatic Pressure Buildup
When snow and ice melt during winter thaws, the ground becomes saturated with water. That water has to go somewhere, and often, it’s your foundation walls that take the hit.
This buildup of moisture in the soil exerts hydrostatic pressure on basement walls, which can cause:
- Bowed or bulging walls
- Cracks that widen over time
- Water seepage through wall cracks or floor joints
At Perma Jack, we often find that hydrostatic pressure is a key driver behind both structural and waterproofing issues in homes in St. Louis.
Foundation Settlement: Still Active in Winter
Foundation settlement doesn’t take the winter off.
Even during cold months, poor drainage, shifting soils, or compacted fill can lead to:
- Uneven settling
- Stair-step cracks in brick or block
- Floors that slope or feel unstable
- Doors and windows that stick or won’t latch
If your home already shows signs of foundation movement, cold weather can exacerbate the problem as frozen soil lifts parts of your foundation while other sections remain in place.
Leaky Cracks and Hidden Moisture
Cracks that form or expand during winter allow water to infiltrate your basement or crawl space. When temperatures rise and things thaw, that moisture lingers—and that means:
- Mold growth
- Wood rot
- Poor indoor air quality
- Increased energy bills
Water intrusion during the winter isn’t always obvious, but the damage can be serious by spring. That’s why early detection and proactive repairs are so important.
How Perma Jack of St. Louis Can Help
Whether you’re dealing with cracked walls, a shifting foundation, or signs of moisture, Perma Jack offers year-round foundation repair services tailored to St. Louis homes and soil conditions.
Our solutions include:
- Helical and Push Piers to stabilize and lift settled foundations
- Wall anchors and I-beams to straighten bowed basement walls
- Waterproofing systems that control hydrostatic pressure and drainage
- Concrete leveling for sidewalks, driveways, and patios damaged by frost heave
We also offer free evaluations, so you can get ahead of winter damage before it gets worse.
Don't Let Winter Ruin Your Foundation
If you’ve noticed new cracks, uneven floors, or moisture issues this winter, don’t wait until spring to act. Foundation problems are easier and less expensive to fix when detected early.
Schedule your free crawl space evaluation today or call us at 636-225-2553 to learn more about Perma Jack of St. Louis.