Extreme Weather in 2024 is Transforming Foundation Repair Needs Across America
The year 2024 has delivered a harsh reality check for American homeowners: the year has been marked by a series of extreme weather events that forced billions of people to face the harsh reality of a changing climate, with climate change making such events more intense and frequent, impacting millions of lives and communities. From devastating floods in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul that killed more than 100 people to extreme weather causing over $41 billion damage in just six months, these climate-driven disasters are creating unprecedented structural challenges for foundations nationwide.
The connection between extreme weather and foundation damage has never been more apparent. Climate change, driven by the burning of coal, oil and gas is making extreme weather events more severe and more frequent, requiring urgent action to cut climate pollution this decade to limit the severity of future events. For homeowners, this translates into foundation problems that were once rare but are now becoming increasingly common.
The Science Behind Weather-Related Foundation Damage
Understanding how extreme weather affects foundations requires examining soil behavior under stress. When temperatures soar, soil takes a beating, especially around concrete slabs. Once the weather hits 100 degrees, the lack of rain dries it out, causing it to pull away from the foundation, leading to cracks in concrete due to stress and lack of moisture. This phenomenon, known as soil shrinkage, creates gaps that allow foundations to shift and settle unevenly.
Conversely, during rainy season, clay soil can expand significantly as it absorbs moisture from rain. Swelling soil can cause increased pressure on foundations, causing cracks to form in walls. This constant cycle of expansion and contraction puts tremendous stress on structural elements.
The impact is measurable: foundation repair specialists have seen an increase in foundation problems due to extreme heat, with calls for help increasing between 25% and 30% over previous seasons. In some areas, foundations have been observed sinking up to 2 inches due to long periods of drought.
2024’s Extreme Weather Patterns
This year’s weather extremes have been particularly destructive. 2024 was likely the first calendar year to be more than 1.5°C above the pre-industrial era, making it the warmest year in the 175-year observational record. The frequency of heat waves has steadily risen, increasing from an average of two per year in the 1960s to six per year in recent decades, with Alabama experiencing drought conditions across every county by early September 2024.
These conditions create a perfect storm for foundation damage. Drought and heat waves in the United States are becoming increasingly common, significantly impacting home foundations, with Alabama experiencing drought conditions affecting every county by early September 2024.
Long Island’s Unique Challenges
For Long Island homeowners, the challenges are particularly acute. Diamond Masonry & Waterproofing LLC understands the unique challenges that Long Island homeowners face, with coastal location meaning higher water tables, storm surge risks, and seasonal flooding that most waterproofing companies don’t deal with regularly. The combination of coastal proximity and extreme weather creates a dual threat to foundation stability.
Diamond Basement Waterproofing, a division of Diamond Masonry & Waterproofing, has been servicing Long Island since 2000, giving them extensive experience with the region’s specific challenges. As a family-owned business, they operate efficiently without a lot of overhead like many larger companies servicing the Long Island market, enabling them to deliver more affordable solutions to customers.
Warning Signs of Weather-Related Foundation Damage
Homeowners should watch for several key indicators of foundation stress. Temperature fluctuations, including freeze-thaw cycles and extreme heat, cause soil movement and foundation issues, leading to stress and cracks in walls, floors, or ceilings. Prolonged droughts or excessive rainfall can cause soil shrinkage or expansion, resulting in gaps between walls and ceilings or floors, uneven or sloping floors, and sticking windows and doors.
Other warning signs include bowed walls caused by uneven weight distribution on the foundation, as the foundation sinks due to the combination of soil shrinkage and the weight of the house, with pressure on walls increasing and leading to bowing.
Professional Solutions for Modern Challenges
Addressing these evolving challenges requires professional expertise and proven solutions. When homeowners need reliable foundation repair, it’s crucial to work with experienced contractors who understand both traditional structural issues and the new challenges posed by climate change.
For over 25 years, Diamond Masonry & Waterproofing has been the trusted name for masonry and waterproofing services, helping homeowners protect their homes from wet basements and foundation cracks to water damage with reliable solutions that last. Their approach combines time-tested techniques with modern understanding of climate-related challenges.
Professional foundation repair now involves more than traditional fixes. Repairing a foundation involves more than just fixing cracks – it requires addressing the underlying causes, such as soil movement or water drainage issues, to ensure long-term stability.
Prevention Strategies for the Climate Era
Proactive measures are essential in today’s climate reality. During droughts or extreme heat, watering the soil around your home prevents it from drying out and shrinking, with consistent moisture levels helping maintain soil stability and reduce foundation movement.
Proper drainage management is equally critical. Improper water runoff leads to pooling around the foundation, accelerating soil expansion and movement, so Plano homeowners should ensure proper drainage systems are in place to protect their foundations.
The Economic Reality
The financial stakes are significant. In 2024 alone, weather-related disasters caused $368 billion in economic losses around the globe, with sixty percent of those losses, $223 billion, going uninsured, creating a climate protection gap. For individual homeowners, foundation repairs can cost tens of thousands of dollars each year, with costs potentially reaching $100,000 or more, and these costs are not often covered by homeowners’ insurance.
Looking Forward
As climate patterns continue to evolve, foundation repair strategies must adapt accordingly. The events of 2024 highlight the growing urgency to understand and address the causes of extreme weather, requiring better systems for predicting extreme weather and adopting climate resilience measures that help communities prepare for and adapt to changing climate conditions.
For Long Island homeowners, partnering with experienced professionals who understand both traditional foundation issues and emerging climate challenges is essential. Diamond Masonry & Waterproofing’s experienced team has been solving these problems for years, providing the expertise to keep foundations safe with the care, precision, and quality homes deserve.
The intersection of climate change and foundation repair represents one of the most significant challenges facing American homeowners today. By understanding these risks, recognizing warning signs early, and working with qualified professionals, homeowners can protect their most valuable investment against an increasingly unpredictable climate future.