Walls that bow, lean, or bulge are fairly common for many households, but not a lot of homeowners know what it actually means and what causes it. Many see it as a problem with the wall itself, unaware that it’s a side-effect of a problem with the foundation.
Our sinking foundation repair experts at Rapid-Dri Foundation Solutions discuss what causes walls to bow and bulge.
Excess Water Pressure
The most common reason walls bow is when there’s excess water pressure that’s pushing upward or horizontally against the wall. This is most commonly caused by excessive moisture in the soil when the gutters fail to properly redirect water away from the foundation.
While the most obvious way to address this is by fixing the gutters, increased moisture doesn’t just originate from there. As such, we recommend you protect the foundation further. You can do this by installing a sump pump or waterproofing the foundation walls. We offer these as part of our bowed walls repair services.
Invasive Tree Roots
Bowed walls may also be a side effect of tree roots or shrubs growing near your foundation, with the roots making their way into the structure. Tree roots, in particular, are surprisingly strong and can even puncture concrete in their quest for more water.
Naturally Shifting Soil
The soil around your home will naturally shift over time as it settles beneath the weight of the foundation. However, this will apply lateral force to the walls itself, which will cause it to bow or bulge. This is especially common in soil that expands when wet, such as clay.
Poor Construction
This is perhaps the most dangerous cause of bowing walls as the problem will usually manifest very late into the service life of the foundation itself. If your foundation wall was built poorly or in inadequate conditions, then they will always end up bowing or even cracking outright.
As part of our foundation wall crack repair services, our team from Rapid-Dri Foundation Solutions will solve your foundation problems the first time around. Whether it’s a bowing wall or a cracked foundation, we’ll restore it to its original and even better condition. Call us today at (734) 895-9553 to learn more about our services. We offer sinking foundation repair in Ann Arbor, MI.
