Winterizing & Summerizing for Snowbirds
This subject comes up often so here is the result of the best reference the archives turned up. It's at: Winterizing house, 10/17/02. cyminn wrote: I don't worry about the heat, but if you do, the...
Forum Discussion
Fizz wrote:rerod wrote:
Ive been told the frost heave could damage the foundation of a home if you turn your heat off.
Never heard of that before, ever.
I have a cottage that we don't use in Winter anymore. We shut down at the end of October and go back early April.
It has no heat all winter, never had a problem, it gets to -30C more often than not. It's been 35 yrs now.
Thanks Fizz.
What I'm gathering, is that your basement walls are "probably" safe if your footings are below the frost line. But if your slab in a garage doesn't have foam and the soil freezes, moist soil can heave the slab. Only way to prevent that is to use insulation but insects including termites love to tunnel in foam. https://www.jlconline.com/how-to/foundations/special-report-insect-infestations-in-buried-foam_o
"Unfortunately, it could take years to field-test any proposed cures. For now, the best solution is to steer clear of below-grade foam altogether."
Any idea how cold it actually gets inside your home when its -30 outside?
