Can Cold Temperatures Affect The Need For Home Repairs?

Cold temperatures, particularly freezing temperatures, can certainly impact your home structures—but not for the better. Freezing temperatures are most problematic for any systems that transport water since the water inside these systems can freeze. This can alter the function of these systems and even damage them if not properly maintained. This is true for your sump pump discharge lines and even your crawl space itself.

Water freezes at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Those that live in either Richmond or Petersburg, VA are no stranger to this type of weather, especially in the winter months. It can reach at or below freezing temperatures in January, February, and December, averaging around 27 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Sump pump discharge lines that freeze can become backed up, increasing the risk of backflow and flooding, or can even become overworked, resulting in overheating and sump pump failure. Furthermore, crawl spaces that are not waterproofed or insulated can experience extremely cold temperatures, which can affect the temperature within your home as well, disrupting how comfortable your living space can be.

For sump pump discharge lines that are vulnerable to freezing over during the winter, JES Foundation Repair offers the FreezeGuard™ to curb leaks or flooding due to blockage. It works by providing your blocked, frozen sump pump lines an alternate path for the water to flow out through so that you do not experience flooding within your basement, crawl space, or wherever your sump pump basin is located. For crawl spaces, homeowners may want to consider insulating it with the ExTremeBloc™ Crawl Space Insulation panels, which have graphite particles woven into the foam insulation to increase the amount of heat that is reflected back into your crawl space. Not only will this protect it against the freezing temperatures of winter, but it also resists moisture penetration from snow and improves the temperature retention of your home.