Identifying and Resolving Bowing Walls
Hiring the right foundation repair expert is essential to achieving quality solutions for bowing walls.
A bowing wall is a retainer or basement wall that starts to lean or crack due to outside pressure on an insecure foundation. These walls make a home unsafe and allow water to seep into crawl spaces or basements. Bowing walls are a serious concern and must be addressed quickly, as when a wall starts to lean, it only worsens over time.
Signs of bowing walls
Walls with a slight lean can be difficult to recognize immediately, as not all homeowners know how to spot early signs. However, there are some telltale signs to watch for that would indicate a bowing wall.
Check for horizontal cracks in block walls that may appear approximately half an inch to three-fourths of an inch from the floor. Bowing walls in poured walls start as diagonal cracks typically appear close to the corners near the floor and extend up to the top of the wall. If hydrostatic pressure is also an issue, these cracks may leak.
Foundation repairs may be necessary if these symptoms are present in a home. It's essential to contact a foundation repair professional swiftly, as time is the most critical factor in a successful repair.
Carbon fiber and wall anchors
If the damage is minor, carbon fiber reinforcements are a viable solution for a bowing wall. However, if the damage is more severe, a more complex solution must be implemented, such as the wall shifting back more than a couple of inches. In this case, wall anchors would be a suitable fix. Anchors are inserted deep into the soil to relieve the pressure and disperse the load. Once this has been done, the foundation walls can be moved back into alignment.
Cost of wall anchors
The cost of foundation wall repair varies. Factors that impact cost include the degree of damage and the site-specific conditions that could complicate the job. It's tempting to shop for repairs based on price, but it's important to remember that cheaper fixes performed by an inexperienced professional often cost more in the long run. Choose a reliable foundation repair company to ensure the job is done right the first time.
Hiring a foundation repair expert
Hiring the right foundation repair expert is essential to achieving quality solutions for bowing walls. There is no shortage of companies, but not all are created equal. Put in the time and effort to research and choose an experienced company that knows what repairs are necessary to avoid a bigger problem in the long run.
Like most things in life, cost often reflects quality. It's well worth the investment to be sure the job is performed correctly. When the job is done right, the results last for years. Putting in the time and research in choosing wisely from the start prevents catastrophes later on.
Accurate Builders of the Chesapeake provide foundation, basement, and crawlspace installation and repair for the greater Baltimore area homeowners.
