Bowing walls are always a sign that something is seriously wrong with your foundation. The foundation is a critical part of your home, as it provides support to the entire structure. When there is failure, your home (and your safety!) is put risk.
Signs of bowing walls include:
- Leaks
- Horizontal or stair-step cracks in the foundation and/or walls
- Walls leaning in at the top
- Walls sliding from the bottom
There are two main reasons your walls can start bowing:
Hydrostatic Pressure
Hydrostatic pressure is the outward and downward pressure caused by heavy rain, poor drainage, expansive soils, or heavy structures like a porch. Foundation walls are built to withstand these forces, but sometimes it can be too much. This can cause bowing.
Lack Of Support
When a wall isn’t built correctly, disaster can strike. When your basement’s walls are leaning or bowing it’s a sure sign that they don’t have the support they need. Age can also cause walls to lose their support, so you should have your home’s foundation regularly inspected to nip problems in the bud.
Fix Your Bowing Walls With Missouri Basement
In the past, homeowners didn’t have much choice when it came to fixing their bowing walls. The solution was typically to excavate around the wall and build new, which was an expensive, time-consuming process. If not done correctly, the issue can come back.
Today, our technology has advanced to where we now utilize wall anchor systems that draw the bowing wall back into the correct position. Then, the wall is anchored to prevent future deterioration. Other fixes include ensuring that there is proper drainage around the home.
If your walls are bowing, don’t wait to get them fixed! Instead, call the professionals at Missouri Basement for an estimate and correct solution.