So Your Basement Walls are Bulging: Learn the Dangers to Your Foundation After a Heavy Rain

If you have a basement in your home, then you benefit from added space. Some homes use a basement for storage while others have a finished space in which to enjoy time with family and friends. No matter how you use your basement, space is nice to have. Over time, you may begin to realize that your basement walls are bulging. This is a sign that you have a problem. It is important for homeowners to keep a check on their basement walls to be able to repair any issue before it becomes a major problem.

Bulging basement walls are a common problem that can have serious consequences. When you have bulging walls, it is a sign that the walls are getting weak. If the problem is not addressed, the wall issue can lead to issues with cracking, collapsing, crumbling and more problems. The structural integrity of your home may be in question and the repairs costly.

To avoid major structural repairs, it is important to learn more about bulging walls and how your home can be affected by heavy rain.

Causes of Bulging

There are several reasons that basement walls can start bulging. One main reason is rainy weather. When the rain comes down in heavy amounts it can gather against the basement walls. The soil around the walls will then become saturated. The saturation will cause stress to the basement walls which can lead to structural issues.

Homeowners cannot predict how rain will affect the home until they see it first hand. It is important to review the basement walls after heavy rains to ensure there is no water pooling or possible bowing with the walls.

Preventing Bulging

It is important to keep stress from your basement walls. Keeping your gutters clean is one way to avoid basement wall stress. When your gutters become clogged, rainwater can spill and then soak into the soil around your walls which can lead to stress on the walls.

The area around your basement walls should remain clear and have proper grading. Without the right grading in place, water can gather which can lead to soil issues and water problems that damage the integrity of your basement walls.

One option to ensure that your basement walls stay intact is to use an I-Beam method. With this method, steel beams are installed along the walls providing reinforcement. Such beams can be used to straighten a bulging basement wall or as a preventative measure.

The beams are placed several feet apart and mounted into the floor against the wall. The beams will be secured to the wall from top to bottom for added support.

Overall, it is important to review the walls of your basement, from the inside as well as outside. You want to be sure that there are no bulging issues with your space. If you notice a bulge, the problem needs to be addressed by a professional. Once reviewed, a plan of action can be provided so you can see how your basement walls may be repaired.