Seasonal Shifts in Lethbridge: How Weather Affects Your Foundation

In Lethbridge, the changing seasons can bring beautiful scenery, but they can also cause problems for your home’s foundation. The soil around your house is constantly moving with freezing winters, warm summers, and unpredictable weather in between. These changes can affect the stability of your foundation over time.

Each season in Lethbridge affects your home’s foundation in different ways. Knowing what to expect allows you to plan ahead, spot early warning signs, and take action to avoid serious damage. From moisture buildup to soil movement, seasonal changes can silently impact your home’s stability.

Below is a breakdown of how different weather patterns can affect your foundation and what you can do to protect it.

Spring: Melting Snow and Soil Movement

As snow and ice melt in the spring, a large amount of water is released into the ground. If your home doesn’t have proper drainage, this water can collect near the foundation and create pressure on the walls.

Water can also seep into small foundation cracks and expand them. Soil becomes soft and may shift, especially after a cold, dry winter.

This can lead to:

• Cracks in basement walls or floors
• Moisture in the basement or crawl space
• Uneven floors above the basement

How to prevent damage in spring:

• Clean gutters and downspouts
• Make sure water drains away from your home
• Repair small cracks before they get worse
• Check the grading around your home’s base

Summer: Heat and Soil Shrinkage

Lethbridge summers can get hot and dry. During long dry spells, the moisture in the soil evaporates, causing the ground to shrink. This shrinkage can create empty spaces beneath your foundation, making it unstable.

This is known as foundation settling and can result in:

• Cracks in exterior bricks or siding
• Gaps around windows and doors
• Hard-to-open doors or windows
• Foundation walls are pulling away from the soil

How to reduce summer damage:

• Water the soil around your foundation during dry periods
• Use mulch around the base to retain soil moisture
• Avoid letting the soil become too dry or cracked

Fall: Shifting Temperatures and Drainage Problems

Fall may seem like a calm season, but it’s a time when your foundation is still at risk. As the temperature drops, the ground cools, and leaves clog gutters, water may begin pooling near the house. The freeze-thaw cycle can begin early in the season, especially overnight.

Issues you may see in fall:

• Cracks forming from early ground freezing
• Water buildup from blocked drainage
• Moisture is entering through weak spots in the foundation

To avoid fall problems:

• Clear fallen leaves from gutters and drains
• Check for any early signs of cracking or moisture
• Ensure downspouts are extended away from the foundation
• Finish repairs before freezing temperatures begin

Winter: Freezing and Expanding Soil

Winter in Lethbridge is known for freezing temperatures. When water in the soil freezes, it expands, a phenomenon known as frost heave. As frozen soil pushes upward, it can cause uneven lifting of parts of the foundation. Repeated freezing and thawing over the winter can cause serious stress on your foundation walls.

Winter-related foundation problems include:

• Horizontal cracks in foundation walls
• Cold air leaks into basements or crawl spaces
• Increased pressure on basement walls from frozen ground

Protect your foundation in winter:

• Seal cracks before winter begins
• Insulate basement walls
• Use exterior frost-proof barriers if needed
• Make sure the snow is shoveled away from the house base

Year-Round Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Foundation Strong

Each season presents its challenges, but with consistent care, you can keep your foundation safe. Here are some year-round maintenance tips:

• Walk around your home once every few months to inspect for new cracks or changes
• Maintain proper grading to keep water flowing away from the foundation
• Schedule regular professional inspections
• Don’t ignore minor cracks or gaps; repair them before they grow

Why Lethbridge Homes Are at Higher Risk

Lethbridge soil is a mix of clay and loam, which is known for expanding and shrinking with moisture changes. Homes built in this area are more vulnerable to soil movement, especially if drainage and insulation aren’t properly managed.

Homes without proper foundation waterproofing or drainage are even more likely to experience issues during heavy rain or sudden thaws.

When to Call a Professional

If you notice any of the following, it’s best to contact a foundation repair expert:

• Cracks are growing in size or spreading
• Water entering your basement
• Foundation walls bowing or bulging
• Doors or windows suddenly misaligned

Early inspections and repairs help you avoid bigger problems and keep repair costs manageable.

Expert Foundation Support You Can Rely On Year-Round

Everfix Foundation Repair understands the unique weather conditions and soil types in Lethbridge. We’ve helped countless homeowners protect their foundations through every season.

Visit our Foundation Repair page to schedule an inspection or learn more about our reliable repair services. Our team is here to help keep your home stable and protected all year long.