Bowing walls typically indicate that there is some type of pressure causing your walls to unnecessarily warp. If you notice your foundation walls are bowed, it is time to consult a professional like Basement Authority of West Virginia. Our trustworthy crew has exactly what it takes to repair and stabilize your bowing walls.
What Causes Bowing Walls
Foundation damage like bowing walls can result from a number of sources. Here, we’ll review a few of the most common causes of bowing walls.
Hydrostatic Pressure
This occurs when the soil around your foundation becomes saturated with water. The heavy soil pushes against your foundation, causing your walls to bend. When this pressure causes your walls to bow, they may also begin to crack as most foundation walls are constructed of inflexible materials. Regardless of how well your foundation was constructed, it can still fall victim to hydrostatic pressure and structural damage. If you’ve noticed that the earth around your house has become particularly hard, dense, and high in pressure, it could be an indication of bowing foundation walls caused by standing water due to hydrostatic pressure.
Expansive Soils
While the state soil of West Virginia is Monongahela silt loam, it still has some clay deep down in certain areas. Known as an “expansive soil,” clay soils don’t filter out water easily, so they can easily become saturated with water. Expansive soils soak up water and make them grow when they get wet and shrink when they dry out again. When it gets wet, clay that absorbs water can grow by 10 percent or more. Expanding soil can put enough pressure on foundation walls that it causes them to bow and crack, which can cause the whole foundation of your home to move.
Structural Instability
Bowing walls are often a sign that your foundation’s structural supports are out of alignment. There are several ways in which a wall can bow. Basement walls, for example, might lean in either direction rather than bowing inward. Regardless of the underlying cause, the dangers of buckling walls remain the same. Damage to your foundation’s structural supports can begin to change over time even if the source of the bowing walls is distinct from that of the wall’s bowing. Because the foundation’s structural supports are critical to the stability of your home, shifting them can be costly and dangerous.
FAQs
After your foundation wall repairs have been finished, you will want to consider future foundation protection measures. This is essential to preventing destabilizing elements, such as hydrostatic pressure and soil absorption, from ever becoming a core issue in your home again. It is essential to have a professional inspect your home if you observe symptoms of damage. If you have performed foundation repairs for bending walls in your house, it is imperative that you invest in sufficient waterproofing measures to safeguard your foundation walls.
Even heavily bowed walls are not entirely hopeless when it comes to correcting them. Although it is always preferable to address a problem early on, you can rest assured that your significantly bowed walls can return to normal if you address the issue as soon as possible. In many instances, bowing walls are caused by lateral pressure from the surrounding soil. Hiring an expert as soon as possible is crucial, as they can rapidly assess your foundation and determine the best course of action. They can also perform repairs, utilizing innovative technology.
Bowing basement walls must be repaired since they might have a severe effect on the entire structure. You must maintain your basement, or you will have trouble at some point in the future. This necessitates analyzing the causes of your bowing basement walls and addressing them as best you can. Regular maintenance can prevent basement walls from bowing totally. Problems with the structure do not “settle down” on their own or simply vanish. They are likely to expand exponentially until they reach a catastrophic ending, costing you significantly more money and putting the structural integrity of your property in jeopardy.
Explore Solutions
Our wide range of solutions ensures that we will find a way to correctly repair your home’s bowing walls. Wall anchors are just one of the many solutions designed to straighten your bowed walls, protecting the stability of these walls and, ultimately, your entire home. The IntelliBrace™ Wall System can also be used in instances where there isn’t enough space on the property to install an entire wall anchor. Below are some more foundation repair solutions.
Basement Authority of West Virginia
Wall Anchors
Wall anchors foundation walls strong and protected from damage. Without this solution, your home may be at risk for major structural problems.
Basement Authority of West Virginia
Carbon Fiber Wall Repair
When your basement walls become cracked, your home is put at risk of leaks and foundation damage. Our carbon fiber wall reinforcements provide much needed protection.
Basement Authority of West Virginia
Intellibrace Wall Repair System
When basement walls become damaged, your entire home is put at risk. However, our team has wall repair systems that keep damage from getting worse.
Basement Authority of West Virginia
Foundation Piers
Foundation damage often occurs due to weak soil being unable to support your foundation. Thankfully, our pier systems provide extra support without relying on soil.
Call Us For A Free Inspection
If you have observed that the walls of your foundation are bowed, you should contact Basement Authority of West Virginia. Our trained crew will thoroughly inspect your property for foundation issues, including bowing walls. These inspections are provided at no cost and without obligation. We live and work in the communities we serve including Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown, and nearby. Therefore, we comprehend the effects of the hot, humid summers and mild, rainy winters, as well as the area’s problematic soil, on the foundation. Contact us today. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
