Exploring the Impact of Florida's Unique Weather Challenges on Your Foundation

Widely renowned as the Sunshine State, Florida is primarily recognized for its subtropical and sunny climate that prevails for the majority of the year. 

Whether it be those who enjoy year-round trips to the beaches of Miami or those who are simply trying to escape the cold, snowy weather that envelopes most of the rest of the country, Florida's weather is a big draw for many.

Everywhere on earth has unique climatic traits and challenges, and Florida is no exception.

In addition to being critical to property owners' safety, understanding how Florida’s weather affects residential and commercial foundations can help mitigate expensive repairs.

Let’s dive into understanding what to watch out for when it comes to potential threats to your foundation and what the appropriate steps are to take to repair or prevent damage. 

Hurricane Hazards

Long-time Florida residents are no strangers to the yearly threat of hurricanes and the severe damage they can inflict. 

Along with the intense winds accompanying them, hurricanes bring a heavy amount of rainfall that can cause severe flooding and create long-term damage to residential and commercial foundations. 

Properties along and near the coastline can experience the impact of storm surges, leading to significant water damage to foundations and erosion of the soil around them. 

Inland homes are also under the threat of dangerous winds and intense rainfall. The soil surrounding a home will expand as it absorbs rainfall, placing heavy pressure on the foundation and potentially causing severe damage.

Later, the soil that hasn't been washed away will dry and contract with the Florida heat, resulting in weaker support for foundations and eventually causing them to settle.

The strong winds accompanying these major storms can clog gutter systems with debris and cause damage, leading to water seepage and pooling around a foundation. When combined with the shifting and displacement of soil due to high winds, severe problems are very likely to occur. 

Preventive Measures

Along with keeping an eye out for symptoms of foundational problems, there are many steps property owners can take to mitigate damage from Florida storms. 

• Effective Drainage Systems. One of the most crucial measures a property owner can take to protect their foundations from flood damage is to install and maintain a proper drainage system.
  
  Along with removing debris and preventing the overgrowth of plants in your yard, investing in a proper drainage system to divert water away from your foundation can save you the expense of major repairs later on.
  
  
• Repair or Install Gutters. Though most properties in Florida are built with gutter systems, many are often neglected and left in disrepair.
  
  Be sure debris is not clogging and preventing water from passing through your gutters, and consider installing newer and more efficient systems if damage has occurred.
  
  
• Check the Grade of Your Yard. Inspect the yard of your property to determine if a degree of sloping is evident or if the terrain is flat. Though it might seem like having a flat yard might be optimal, drainage problems are more likely to occur, leading to potential damage to your foundation.
  
  Conversely, a yard that slopes toward your property can cause water to flow down and pool around your foundation.
  
  Ideally, your yard should slope slightly away from your property to prevent water from collecting around the foundation.
  
  
• Schedule an Inspection. One of the most proactive steps you can take to determine if your property’s foundation is prepared to withstand the impact of Florida’s major storms is to have an industry expert conduct a comprehensive inspection.
  
  A specialist with many years of experience navigating Florida's distinctive weather challenges can determine if your foundation is in good standing and can potentially unveil opportunities for improvement that might have gone unnoticed.
  
  

Preserving Your Foundation

As proud Florida residents, we look to enjoy the great weather benefits allotted to us by this state without having to worry about potential threats that could impact our foundations. If you suspect that your foundation has suffered damage or if you wish to ensure its protection against future threats, take action right away.

For more than three decades, LRE Foundation Repair has been serving Florida residents, offering expertise in repairing and preserving foundations to withstand the inevitable threats they may encounter. Schedule a free inspection with an expert LRE Design Specialist to help keep your foundation preserved for years to come.