High temperatures can wreak havoc on your home's foundation, but taking one simple step can help.

High temperatures can wreak havoc on your home's foundation, but taking one simple step can help.

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High temperatures can wreak havoc on your home's foundation, but taking one simple step can help.

The extreme heat impacts a lot of things, but did you know it can also impact your home's foundation? KMBC 9 met up with a local foundation repair crew to find out how high temperatures can damage your home and what you can do right now to prevent it.

At a home in Independence, the time has taken a toll. “We know we've got about an inch and an eighth that this foundation has moved in,” said Billy Krohne, a structural evaluator with Foundation 1 in Raytown.

He says cracks like the one in this home’s basement are often caused by changes in how wet or dry the soil is around your home.

“Those soils expand, and we get to the summer, they will dry that soil out and cause it to sink,” he said, “which will cause the foundation to sink with it.”

The blistering heat of summer can spell big problems that might start small. “You’ll notice sloping floors, cracking over doorways, doorways sticking,” said Krohne.

Those issues can escalate, though, and quickly become costly, with severe cases running tens of thousands of dollars. However, Krohne says during hot weather there's a simple step you can take to keep your foundation firm.

“Water your yard,” he said. “Go invest in a soaker hose and lay that thing around the foundation and turn that water on for a good 10 minutes or so every day just to try and keep that soil consistent.”

Krohne says prevention and early intervention are key. “It’ll save you a lot more money the faster you get the problem fixed,” he said.

Krohne also said insurance doesn't usually cover foundation issues, so you'll be bearing that burden yourself. It’s another reason to be proactive.

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