The structural integrity of your home is critical for the safety of your family and the protection of your property. Provided that the basement is part of the foundation of a building, symptoms of bowing basement walls should be a significant source of concern. If the bent walls are left unrepaired, the basement walls can suffer chronic cracks, making the basement a considerable safety hazard.
If you are looking for basement bowed wall repairs services in Gastonia, NC, contact HydroHelp911 for a free inspection.
Basement walls that are bowed make it tough to finish the basement. In most instances, professionals must handle the problem and make the appropriate repairs to bowing basement walls.
What Are Bowed Basement Walls?
Masonry walls that bow from the outside to the inside are known as bowed basement walls. If you stand inside the basement and look at the bowed wall, you should notice a curved surface or protruding wall. This issue is sometimes referred to as inward deflection.
Basement walls that are bowed are frequently cracked as well. Cracks can be vertical or horizontal, but most are horizontal depending on the direction of the bend in the basement walls. These cracks in the wall may widen during the rainy season and contract during the dry season.
Due to the cracks, bowed basement walls may be smeared with water, mold, or mildew caused by water leaks.
What Causes the Basement Walls to Bow?
EXPANSIVE NATURE OF THE SOIL.
Not every soil type is the same. For example, expansive soils expand as they absorb water and contract as they dry. When the ground expands during the rainy season, it increases stress on the foundation wall, which can cause bowing over time.
THERE ARE LEAKS IN THE PLUMBING SYSTEM.
Water leaks in the plumbing system may appear to be inconsequential. However, if the leaks are not repaired immediately, they can cause significant moisture buildup in the basement and the soil surrounding the basement wall. As a result of the increased hydrostatic pressure, the basement walls may bulge and begin to bow.
HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE OUTSIDE YOUR FOUNDATION.
Water-saturated soil generates hydrostatic pressure that presses against the wall.
LARGE PATIOS OR DRIVEWAYS.
Patios and driveways made of heavy materials can increase the amount of pressure exerted on the foundation of a nearby building. As a result, the basement walls of the building will begin to bend over time.
SOIL THAT HAS BEEN FROZEN.
When soil freezes, it expands, placing more pressure on the wall.
ROOTS OF TREES.
Trees planted near a house, particularly those with dense roots, could cause significant basement wall damage. The roots expand and increase the lateral pressure that the soil imposes on the basement foundation walls, causing damage. When integrated with hydrostatic pressure caused by soil moisture, this can result in the bowing of basement walls.
LATERAL PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE WALL.
This could happen when pressure is applied due to large, heavy items like a vehicle being parked next to the wall.
HydroHelp911 Basement Bowed Wall Repair Solutions
Depending on the cause of damage, there are three commonly used methods for repairing basement walls:
- Carbon fiber staples are used to repair cracks.
- Carbon fiber straps are used to support a bowed wall or to repair a crack.
- Finally, helical ties are used to support the bowed wall and relieve pressure.
CRACK REPAIR WITH CARBON FIBER STAPLES
Cracked walls fixed using an injected material may experience lengthy exhaustion, failing due to foundation movement over time. Cross-stitching concrete crack repairs with staples eliminate this issue, and the long-term effectiveness of the repair material improves.
The staples are composed of solid carbon fibers encapsulated in a thermal-set resin and successfully treated under pressure during the manufacturing process.
According to HydroHelp911 in Gastonia, NC, this basement bowed wall repair treatment ensures that the crack does not grow any further and re-joins the separated pieces of concrete.
CARBON FIBER STRAPS ARE USED TO SUPPORT A BOWED WALL OR TO REPAIR A CRACK.
The speed and ease of installation of an externally applied carbon-fiber reinforcement grid system are significant advantages. It indefinitely stabilizes bowed foundation walls with minimum disturbance. No excavation can be used in tiebacks. It is cleaner and safer than alternative basement turned wall repair techniques in Gastonia, NC.
Installers at HydroHelp911 apply the crack repair epoxy using a static mixer, eliminating the need for measuring and mixing. The process is complete once the epoxy cures. It usually takes up to 1 hour, depending on the temperature.
HELICAL TIES OR PIERS ARE USED TO SUPPORT THE BOWED WALL AND RELIEVE PRESSURE.
In moderate to severe movement cases, helical piers can be used with carbon fiber reinforcement to help repair by relieving external pressure on the wall.
See Helical Pier Installation in Lincolnton, NC by HydroHelp911 for basement bowed wall repair solutions.
How You Can Avoid Basement Bowed Wall Repairs:
As a homeowner in Gastonia, NC, you can prevent basement walls from bowing after repairs by doing the following:
To prevent water from saturating near basement walls, repair downspouts and gutters.
- Make a robust drainage system with drainage ditches that divert water away from the house.
- Construct a French drain to collect groundwater.
- Gradually slope the soil away from home.
- Substitute expansive grounds against basement walls with quick-draining sand or pebbles.
- Heavy items, such as machinery or hot tubs, should be removed.
Why hire a professional basement bowed wall repair contractor?
Usually, the approach to repairing a curved wall is determined by the extent of the damage.
Preventing wall collapse saves your time, money, and the security of your home. However, it is not a do-it-yourself or amateur job; it necessitates specialized knowledge and the proper equipment. That is why you should get in touch with HydroHelp911. We offer free inspection in serviceable areas of Gastonia, NC.
What are the advantages of using carbon fibers in basement repairs?
A carbon fiber system has several critical advantages for homeowners in Gastonia, NC:
- It is assured to steady foundation walls against lateral loads indefinitely.
- Installation is quick and easy, with hardly any disruption and mess.
- There is no need to excavate the property.
- It does not create impediments in the room, which can lead to a reduction in floor space.
- Over time, the reinforcing material will not rust or deteriorate.
- The repaired area can be painted or covered in white wall panels.
- The house retains a higher resale value than the steel repair alternatives.
How much does repairing bowed basement walls cost?
The cost of basement bowed wall repair differs depending on the amount of damage and the materials and methods used. Therefore, home owners should get multiple evaluations and estimates from credible contractors like HydroHelp911 in Gastonia, NC, and compare long-term value rather than just installation costs.
Should I purchase a home with bowing basement walls?
If you’re considering buying a home in Gastonia, NC, with bowing walls, hire an experienced foundation repair contractor HydroHelp911, and a structural engineer will visit the location to inspect it. They will be capable of telling you what is wrong and how to fix it. The HydroHelp911 foundation repair contractor will also be capable of providing you with an estimate for the cost of repairing the basement bowed walls.
Realize that bowing walls indicate structural damage. Don’t ever purchase a property with bowing basement walls unless a professional has thoroughly inspected the problem.
What happens if bowed walls aren't repaired?
Because the accumulation of water causes hydrostatic pressure, it rises over time. As a result, it exerts more pressure on your basement walls, causing them to bow and protrude to a point. They’ll continue to degrade until the pressure becomes too much for them, at which point they’ll snap.
If any of your basement walls collapse, the structural integrity of your home is jeopardized. A collapsed wall can result in broken joists and wrecked interior walls. Furthermore, you will be forced to vacate until the walls are repaired, which could take months.
What are the symptoms of basement bowed wall repair?
There are many obvious signs that your basement walls have a problem. You will most likely notice an irregularity in the walls. If you are concerned that your basement walls may need to be repaired, HydroHelp911 has summarized a list of things to look for.
- You start noticing “stair step” cracks around the bricks or concrete blocks.
- You observe a slant in your walls toward the top.
- The base of the wall appears to be inwardly moving.
- You notice diagonal cracks in the wall.
How to repair walls that are cracked, bowing, or bulging
There are many methods for repairing a wall before it comes crashing down. The amount of damage will determine the best way for your home. Carbon fiber straps are good alternatives if a wall is only cracked or bowing less than 2 inches. If the wall is significantly bowing or bulging, you should look into wall anchors, and helical tiebacks basement bowed wall repair methods.
What is a Helical Pier? Watch this video!
