So your Basement Walls are Bulging

Basement Walls Bowing & Bulging

You may have noticed that the walls in your basement are bulging and bowing inward.  This is a common problem with potentially serious consequences.  Bowing basement walls are a sure sign that they are becoming weak.  If ignored, bowing walls can lead to cracks, crumbling, collapse and even threaten the structural integrity of your entire home.

The Cause of Basement Walls Bowing

There are many outside forces that contribute to the bowing of basement walls.  It is a symptom of excessive exterior stresses that include:

Sloping Lawns – Sloping lawn can pile tons of heavy soil on your foundation, making your interior basement walls bow inward and start to crack.

Patios and Driveways – Brick and concrete are extremely heavy and if they are placed near your basement walls it can cause them to bow.

Rainy Weather – Something as simple as the weather can create bowing basement walls. With all the storms in Illinois this is one to keep the closest watch on.  When the soil around your basement walls becomes saturated with water, either from rainfall or runoff from clogged gutters, it becomes very heavy.  This is turn introduces more stress on the basement walls.

Leaky Pipes – Like with rainwater, plumbing leaks can saturate the soil around your foundation with water and cause wall bowing.

Trees – Roots from trees planted too close to your home will press against your basement walls and cause bowing.

Preventing Basement Wall Bowing

To keep some of the stress off your basement walls, keep gutters clear, plumbing maintained, and remove trees planted within ten feet of your house.  If possible, also avoid pouring any concrete or building brick patios too near to your foundation.  These suggestions will help keep your basement walls from bowing and bulging. However, while maintaining your home and its surroundings are essential, there is nothing you can do about things like rain, heavy soil and sloping lawns.  For that reason, you may consider getting your basement walls reinforced with the I-beam method we mention on our site.

Using the I-Beam Method mentioned above, we install 4” steel beams along the length of the bowed basement wall. These beams are placed about five feet apart, and they are mounted into the floor against the wall. The beams are then bolted to the floor joists to completely and permanently secure the wall from top to bottom.

Professional Solution to Bowing Basement Walls

With more than 20 years’ experience in concrete repair and basement wall straightening in Spring Valley, IL, we have discovered that one of the best ways to adequately repair bowed basement walls is with our I-Beam Method. But as with every service we offer you can include a free estimate so contact us today if you need repairs.