Important Facts about Bowing Basement Walls Grand Rapids, MI
Bowing basement walls are not just an eyesore; they also denote that your home’s foundation has a serious problem. Often, basement wall bowing is associated with horizontal cracking. When this happens, the core structure of the basement becomes compromised, and this affects the safety of your building. Here are some key facts about bowing basement walls.
1. What Are Bowing Basement Walls?
Simply stated, bowing basement walls are basement walls that bend inwards. If you look at a cross-section of the wall and use a plumb line to examine whether the wall is perpendicular, you will see that the wall is not straight but curved inwards.
2. What Causes This Problem?
Basement wall bowing is caused by several factors. Here are some of the key factors:
· Settling of the foundation: The basement walls are part of the foundation. Hence, the walls have to be strong to sustain the weight of the building. If your building’s structure is weak, the Settling of the foundation can cause basement wall bowing. As the foundation starts to settle, it can exert a lot of weight on the basement walls and lead to basement wall bowing.
· Increased hydrostatic pressure: Bowing basement walls can also occur as a result of increased hydrostatic pressure. When the soil that surrounds the foundation and basement walls becomes saturated with water, its weight increases. The result is that the wet soil exerts a lot of lateral pressure on the basement walls, which can cause them to bend.
· Frost heave: Constant freezing and expansion of the soil around the basement walls can cause the walls to bend inwards.
· Large roots: As large roots near the foundation and basement walls grow, they push against the walls, causing them to bow in.
3. What Are the Signs of Basement Wall Bowing?
There are several signs of basement wall bowing. These include:
· Stair-step or horizontal basement wall cracks.
· Signs of bulging, buckling, or inward movement of the basement walls
· Walls that appear to lean at the top
4. What Is the Implication of Cracking Due to Basement Wall Bowing?
Cracks on the basement walls can cause water to seep through the basement walls and lead to notable structural damage.
5. What Should You Do If You See Bowing Basement Walls?
Simply stated, bowing basement walls are basement walls that bend inwards. If you look at a cross-section of the wall and use a plumb line to examine whether the wall is perpendicular, you will see that the wall is not straight but curved inwards.
Contact the Professionals at EverDry Waterproofing of Greater Grand Rapids Today! (800) 275-7910
Rob VanSuilichem
Serving Michigan homeowners for over 32 years, Everdry is one of the Nation’s largest and most experienced waterproofer. Locally owned, operated and staffed, Everdry professionals take a personal one-on-one approach in educating homeowners so they truly understand all their options for creating a safe, dry, healthy and usable space in their basements.
What Sets Us Apart
- Unbeatable quality due to the experience of the owners and staff.
- Unbeatable value due to the efficiency and expertise of more than 32 years of experience.
- Unbeatable value due to the purchasing power of being one of the largest waterproofers in the nation.
- Unbeatable service due to the fact that EverDry is a locally owned and operated company.
Credentials Include:
- Members of the Home Builders Association
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The aforementioned memberships are important because we benefit from the constant exchange of information and knowledge. We are updated on everything from installation techniques, to customer service improvements. You benefit in the knowledge that these third party inspection agencies require us to meet stringent requirements to remain members in good standing.
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We have been nominated and won the prestigious Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Ethics many times, Chosen as a W.Mich.BBB Torch finalist in 2014 & 2015, Won the Torch Award for Ethics in 2016, Won the Eastern Michigan BBB Torch Award in 2019 and was also chosen as a Western Michigan BBB Torch finalist in 2019. Won the Eastern Michigan BBB Torch Award in 2023 and Finalist for the Western Michigan BBB Torch Award in 2020 & 2021!
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To create raving fans of our customers and employees through frequent contact, constant training, a commitment to excellence and unlimited opportunity.