Should I Worry About the Freeze-Thaw Effect?

The freeze-thaw effect refers to the cycle of water freezing and thawing. The reason this is relevant to homeowners is because it has a major effect of the concrete around your property as well as your foundation. When water freezes, it expands by about 9%. As it expands, it displaces the particles of any material that it lies in. This means that any concrete, wood, or soil that is saturated with water will tear open as the water freezes and expands.

When thinking of the freeze-thaw effect, many homeowners in the southeastern United States think significant freeze-thaw damage only happens in colder climates. After all, part of the reason so many houses in North Carolina are built on slab foundations is because the ground floor rarely ever needs protection from freeze damage. However, if you live in the Piedmont Triad including Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point, you should still take this cycle seriously. Even if winters in this region are milder than other parts of the United States, the temperature still falls below zero over 50 nights per year. The damage may not occur as quickly as in other states, but the dangers are still there.

When you have a foundation that isn’t waterproof, the water that gets in there will freeze during the winter and cause structural damage. Your concrete will crack as the ice tears through it, which will only lead to water leaking problems when it’s hurricane season. The freeze-thaw effect also tears open your pipes, which will cost you hundreds if not thousands in repair. To avoid this problem, you should waterproof your foundation in order to deter water from flowing in and you should get new insulation to keep the area warm.