Seepage is slower than a flood, which is exactly why it gets missed. In Victoria a damp carpet edge in March can turn into wet framing by May if nobody checks behind the wall.
How thaw water gets in
Spring thaw is a named season in the city, with seasonal road weight limits set every year, and the same melt that soaks the ground adds water around foundations. Wet snow packed against a wall, frozen ground that cannot absorb meltwater and sudden warm spells all push water toward the lower level. Water can also track along the top of the slab and surface well away from the wall.
- Moisture mapped along every outside wall
- Carpet edges lifted and bottom drywall checked
- Wet insulation removed and the cavity dried
Heavy snow years set the stage
The Twin Cities logged more than 20 inches of January snow in 2023, 2018 and 2014, and a deep snowpack means a long, heavy melt. The crew pays most attention to the weeks after a big thaw, when readings that looked fine can climb again.
Stopping repeat damage
Cleanup treats what is wet now, while keeping water away is a separate job for a drainage or waterproofing contractor. The crew notes where moisture entered so that contractor knows where to look, and a written note of the entry points travels with the claim file. See sump pump failure cleanup when a pit is involved.