Frost heave occurs when ice forms underneath soil. As the frozen soil switches between freezing and thawing, it can cause the very foundation of your house to shift since frozen soil has about 10 percent more volume than dry soil. This can lead to serious structural damage to your foundation.

Frost heave can happen in any place that experiences cold temperatures. Yet it is most common when a source of water feeds into poorly drained or frost-susceptible soil like loams and silts. (In general, you can tell if you have these types of soils by touch. Loams are loose and will form a ball in your hand that crumbles when you poke it. Silts are made of small particles that feel slick and sticky when wet; they also resist water, so puddles will often form on top of them when it rains.)

Wall cracks are a telltale sign of frost heave. Cracks are most common on the interior walls, but they can also occur on exterior walls. Other signs of frost heave can include cracked, tilted or displaced concrete floor slabs.

If you notice any of these signs, you’ll want to get in touch with a foundation repair specialist. Some of the long-term steps they can take to help your house recover from frost heave after eliminating any contributing water sources include:

Heaving can also be caused by tree roots or pressure from nearby buildings. To find out what is causing damage to your house, make sure to contact a certified foundation contractor.

This story was originally published in 2014.

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