How Climate Change Is Affecting Your Home’s Foundation
Climate change is driving sea levels higher, pushing saltwater further inland, and corroding the soil supporting residential foundations. According to a recent study, if sea levels continue to rise, annual foundation repair costs for nearly 137,000 homes in low-lying areas around Mobile Bay, AL, could reach $90 million by 2100. The figure below shows how sea levels are rising in the coastal United States.
Homeowners must recognize these effects and take action to protect their foundations.
What the Study Found
Researchers at Colorado State University examined the impact of rising sea levels on coastal homes, focusing on how saltwater intrusion (SWI) weakens foundations. They studied 137,000 homes in Mobile Bay, AL, under different sea-level rise scenarios, considering factors like building age, size, and soil type.
Their method was to estimate potential foundation damage in a sequential manner. They analyzed how much of the foundation might be exposed to saltwater, the effects of rising groundwater due to sea level increase, and possible uncertainties around when corrosion may start. Then, they calculated the potential repair costs and the additional costs incurred by homeowners during the repair period.
Their analysis showed that extreme sea-level rise could push annual foundation repair costs up to $90 million by 2100, with homes 3-5 miles from the shoreline at greatest risk. They urge policymakers to use these findings to develop strategies to protect coastal buildings.
Key Takeaways of the Study
Here are the implications of this study for homeowners in coastal regions:
- Rising Sea Levels: As sea levels rise, coastal areas face increasing risks.
- High Costs: Potential foundation repair costs could reach $90 million annually by 2100 in the study area alone, reflecting a significant economic burden that may occur in other coastal regions worldwide.
- Location Risks: Homes 5-10 km from the shoreline are especially vulnerable to SWI, not just those directly on the coast.
- Importance of Data: Detailed data on building types, materials, and foundation specifics are vital to assess and mitigate climate change impacts.
- Mitigation Strategies Needed: Changes in construction practices, such as building deeper, more resilient foundations, and new planning regulations to limit building in high-risk areas, are crucial to minimize damage.
Other Climate-Related Risks to Your Foundation
No, climate change can affect your home’s foundation in several ways:
- Soil Moisture Fluctuations: Changes in precipitation patterns can cause soil to expand and contract, shifting your foundation and causing cracks.
- Increased Flooding: Flooding can erode the soil around your foundation, causing it to settle and crack. It can also increase hydrostatic pressure, which can cause basement walls to crack or bow.
- Drought and High Heat: Prolonged dry conditions and extreme heat can cause soil to shrink and pull away from the foundation, creating gaps and reducing support. This shifting soil can lead to cracks, uneven settling, and structural damage to the foundation.
- Changes in Vegetation: Shifting temperatures and precipitation can alter local vegetation. This may impact soil moisture and potentially affect foundations.
- Thawing Permafrost: In colder climates, thawing permafrost can destabilize foundations, causing sinking or shifting.
Signs Climate Change May Be Affecting Your Foundation
- Water Damage: Climate change can lead to more frequent and intense storms, which can cause flooding or water damage to your foundation.
- Cracks in the Foundation: If your area is experiencing more extreme temperature fluctuations due to climate change, this can cause the soil to expand and contract more dramatically, leading to foundation shifts or cracks.
- Unusually Dry Soil: Extended periods of drought can lead to unusually dry soil. This can cause the soil to shrink away from the foundation, leading to instability.
- Increased Humidity in Basements or Crawl Spaces: If your area is experiencing increased humidity due to climate change, this can lead to damp basements or crawl spaces, damaging the foundation over time.
- Changes in Vegetation Around Your Home: Climate change can affect local flora. If you notice changes in the vegetation around your home, like dying trees or plants, this could be a sign of changes in the soil that might affect your foundation.
- Basement Mold: Increased rainfall or humidity can lead to mold or mildew in your basement, signaling water damage to your foundation.
- Uneven or Sagging Floors: This can be a sign of foundation settling or shifting, possibly due to climate-related changes in soil composition or moisture levels.
- Sticking Doors or Windows: If doors or windows in your home start sticking, it could be a sign of foundation issues caused by shifting soil due to extreme weather events or changes in moisture levels.
- Gaps Around Window Frames or Exterior Doors: These can be signs of a shifting foundation, possibly caused by soil changes due to climate fluctuations.
- Increased Pest Intrusions: Changes in climate can drive pests like termites or carpenter ants to migrate. These pests can cause damage to the wooden structures supporting your home, indirectly affecting the integrity of your foundation.
Remember, noticing any of these signs doesn’t confirm that climate change is affecting your home’s foundation. It is always best to reach out to a trusted expert like Groundworks is a prudent step to ensure proper assessment and repair.
How to Protect Your Foundation from Climate Change
There are several steps you can take to protect your foundation against the effects of climate change, including:
- Ensuring proper drainage around your home to prevent water from pooling near the foundation
- Installing a sump pump to remove excess water from your basement or crawl space
- Sealing any cracks in your foundation to prevent water from seeping in
- Extending downspouts the proper distance from your home
By taking these steps, you can help protect your home foundation from the effects of climate change and ensure that your home remains safe and secure for years to come.
Get Professional Help With Groundworks
The most effective thing you can do to protect your home against climate-related issues is calling a foundation repair specialist as soon as possible. Foundation issues will only get worse if you ignore them, and many solutions require professional care.
The Groundworks family of companies has service locations across the nation with local experts ready to help protect your home with leading solutions. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a free inspection!
FAQs
Look at local maps and online services to see if you’re in a flood-prone area. Many communities also have local information to show you whether or not you’re in a flood-prone areas. If in doubt, call a city representative or a landscaping professional.
Yes, areas with expansive clay soils, high water tables, or poor drainage systems are more prone to foundation settlement issues.
Yes, foundation issues can significantly decrease your home’s value and make it difficult to sell. Proper repair can restore value and ensure structural integrity.
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