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No home or building can stand against the forces of time and nature forever. For many homes out there, it can be a common occurrence to see a foundation wall begin to lean, bulge, or bow. This can happen to a foundation wall whether it is poured concrete, cinder block, or a brick wall. But many homeowners may see this as a problem with the wall instead of what outside influences may be affecting their foundation walls. Let’s investigate into what can cause your foundation walls to bow, lean, or bulge—and how it can be fixed!
The environment and the elements can have various effects on your foundation. These changes occur in the weather, the seasons, and even the natural features around your home. Here are some of the most common causes that can lead to bowing basement walls, foundation cracks, bulging walls, and other foundation wall problems.
Whether it’s due to the forces of nature or poor workmanship, it’s important to have your compromised foundation wall stabilized and repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage from occurring. Unfortunately, these kinds of problems never go away by themselves and only get worse with time. Fortunately, though, there are solutions to have your foundation wall fixed.
The short answer is yes! ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing President, Todd Prosan, states that, “Bowed and bulging walls can be fixed, however time is of the essence. In the worst-case scenario, your leaning, bowing, or bulging wall can collapse, resulting in not just a heavily damaged foundation but a house that is structurally compromised and unsafe.”
How Do You Fix a Bowing Wall?
Here are some of the solutions that can help with repairing your bowing, leaning, or bulging wall.
- Carbon ’58 Wall Straps
- These work for cracked walls or foundation walls with deflections of less than 2 inches.
- Your foundation walls will need to be in relatively good condition. Carbon fiber straps can hold your foundation wall in place and keep it from further movement. But if the concrete is crumbling and falling apart, the carbon fiber straps will not be very effective. It is likely that any sections of deteriorating concrete will actually need to be replaced.
- ’58 Strong I-Beams
- For foundation walls with a deflection of 2 inches but no more than 4 inches, the ’58 Strong I-Beams can reinforce your foundation wall and put a stop to any further movement.
- Helical Tiebacks
- These may be the most expensive option, but sometimes they may be the required one. This is accomplished by having a screw-like steel shaft drilled through your foundation wall. This ultimately helps stabilize your foundation wall and restores its structural strength.
- Helical tiebacks will involve drilling through your foundation wall, which means making a possible way for groundwater intrusion if measures aren’t taken. The contractor doing the repairs will have those drill holes filled and sealed against water. But you will eventually need to have these areas maintained and repaired later to keep them properly sealed.
Our Carbon ’58 Wall Straps are perfect for stopping the movement of bowing or bulging foundation walls.
Don’t Wait to Fix Your Foundation Walls
When trouble comes to your foundation, time is of the essence. Bulging or bowing basement walls will get worse with time, and so will many foundation cracks. Intrusive groundwater and moisture from the outside can infiltrate your basement through these cracks. As moisture builds up, mold and wood rot may start growing on your basement’s ceiling floor joists. Excess moisture can also attract insect pests and rodents. Whether your basement is for storage or serves as a finished space, excess moisture or water means property damage.
Bulging, bowing, or leaning foundation walls can also be stabilized with our ’58 Strong I-Beams.
The condition of your foundation walls has a direct impact on the rest of your home and its structural integrity. From ensuring the safety of yourself and your loved ones to preventing catastrophic damage to your property, you should not hold off on repairing a foundation crack or a bowing wall once you’ve discovered it. The sooner you have it fixed, the better off your home and your wallet will be. ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been in the business since 1958. For over 60 years, we’ve been keeping foundations strong for years and years. Our expertise can’t be beat!
Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a stable foundation and a safe home. Give us a call today to schedule for a free foundation repair inspection and receive a detailed estimate for your foundation problem! Our experts will be happy to guide you through our foundation repair solutions and we’ll be happy to answer any questions!
Many brick homes have cracks in the bricks—either in the bricks themselves, or in the mortar joints. A lot of the time these cracks are not a concern. However, sometimes they are an indication of problems with the foundation of your home. This can especially be the case if you’re noticing stair-step cracks in your exterior brick wall.
Stair-step shaped cracks in the brick are a possible indication of problems with the foundation. These cracks are typically noticed in the mortar joints of brick walls. The same stair-step cracking pattern can often be found on the interior side of the wall—in the basement or the crawlspace. We also often see a corresponding crack around the corner on the other wall.
Stair-step cracks in brick walls frequently continue down to the bottom of the brick wall and into the block foundation that the brick sits on, and through the block foundation all the way to the footing.
These cracks are an indication that a section of the wall has settled faster/slower than the other sections. Uneven settlement can occur because of poor soil conditions and soil erosion. Typically, this occurs over time as rainwater seeps into the soil around your foundation.
This uneven settlement can generally be fixed, but it is important to get it resolved before additional settling can occur. Other symptoms may be present or may develop if the settling isn’t addressed. Some of these additional symptoms include sloping or dropped floors, bowing walls, or misaligned doorways.
Fortunately, there are solutions to this kind of foundation problem. ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing offers a variety of quality solutions including our own ’58 Strong Helical Piers to bring stability back to your sinking foundation. This can prevent further sinking and allow for the repair of foundation cracks, bowing walls, and other related problems. ’58 also offers its own customizable waterproofing system to help relocate water that reaches your foundation, which can help prevent further soil erosion by water.
If you are noticing stair-step cracks in your exterior brick wall, don’t give it the time to get worse. ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been repairing foundations like yours since 1958. With over 64 years of experience and expertise behind our quality products and honest methods, you can rest assured that we can repair your brick foundation. We have local offices throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Whether you’re near Chattanooga, TN, Spartanburg, SC, or Washington, DC, you can always rely on ’58 to be there when you need us!
Contact us today to schedule for a free inspection and to receive a detailed estimate! Be sure to also ask about our industry-leading life-of-the-structure warranty and money-back guarantee!
Calling a foundation repair contractor probably isn’t on your list of enjoyable things to do. But letting a foundation problem go unaddressed is highly inadvisable. Even what looks to be a minor problem could be a sign that your foundation has deeper underlying problems. Consider a crack in a foundation wall, for example. If it is small, such as less than a quarter inch, then it is probably nothing serious. A wider crack, on the other hand, is likely going to require the attention of a qualified foundation repair professional. Whatever the cause(s), a foundation repair contractor will be able gauge the severity of the problem and prevent it from becoming a bigger one down the road.
Finding a crack in a foundation wall is just one way of determining that you may need assistance from a foundation repair expert. What else can indicate a foundation issue? Warning signs include:
There could be different reasons as to why your foundation has a crack. It can be due to poor construction. Or if it is just a hairline crack that has been there since you moved in, it could be from the concrete drying after construction.
But it could also have something to do with something outside of your foundation. Usually, this external element is water. When water comes to rest against your foundation, it creates what’s called hydrostatic pressure. This water pressure increases as more water saturates the soil surrounding your foundation. While your foundation may hold for a time, enough repeated events involving this immense pressure can lead to the crack or cracks you see. What’s more, these cracks can eventually begin leaking if it is water that’s causing the damage. Now a foundation crack problem has turned into a wet basement problem as well.
As you can see, it’s important to have the damage professionally assessed and to do it promptly. Waiting on the problem will only lead to more damage and extra repair costs.
Soil erosion around your foundation can also lead to foundation problems. Whether by water or some other cause, as soil is moved or compacted, voids are created which can cause uneven settling of the foundation. Cracks will then begin to appear near the site of uneven settlement.
There are many different types of foundation problems. But with over 64 years of experience, the team at ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing knows how to address them all with our foundation repair expertise. We offer a comprehensive array of foundation repair solutions such as our ’58 Strong Helical Piers, and we utilize only the highest quality materials. Should outside water be a part of your foundation problems, we also offer our own ’58 waterproofing system using specially-engineered products including our own Channel ’58 drainage channels. Whatever is ailing your foundation, you can count on ’58 to make the problems go away!
’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has local offices all throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Whether you near Spartanburg, SC, Knoxville, TN, or even Washington, DC, there’s a ’58 team of foundation experts ready to help!
If you’re in need of a foundation repair contractor, ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has the lasting solutions you need. We’re proud to back our work with our industry-leading life-of-the-structure warranty and money-back guarantee! Contact us today to schedule a free inspection and to receive a foundation repair estimate today!
Are you worried about your home having a cracking foundation? Have you found a foundation crack that you never noticed before, or one that seems to be growing? Not all foundation cracks are necessarily a cause for alarm. Sometimes, these are hairline cracks caused by shrinkage as the concrete dries after construction. However, a sizable crack or one that appears to be growing should be evaluated by a qualified foundation repair expert. In general, a crack wider than 1/16 inches is likely to be an indication of a bigger problem. For example, it could mean that your foundation is coming directly into contact with the water table, creating what’s called hydrostatic pressure.
Hydrostatic pressure is created when that water sits against the foundation, pressing against the foundation walls and floor. An elevated water table is common in areas with poor drainage and can be a real nuisance for homeowners trying to keep their foundations safe and their basements free of groundwater and invasive moisture.
Foundation cracks can have a variety of causes. These can include…
Keeping your foundation in good condition is essential to preserving the structural integrity of your house. Though it might be perfectly feasible to patch a minor crack on your own, there are foundation problems that will almost always require the attention of a trained foundation repair expert. From a big crack in your foundation floor to bowing basement walls, these are examples where an expert solution will be needed to ensure your home remains stable and healthy.
At ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing, we offer a variety of approved foundation repair solutions. Whether you have a stair-step crack in your foundation wall or a crack in your basement floor, ’58 has a solution to restore your foundation’s stability and your peace of mind. From our Carbon ’58 Wall Straps to our ’58 Strong Helical Piers, our quality products are designed to provide effective and long-lasting repairs to your foundation. Since 1958, ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing has a well-earned reputation, providing over 64 years of guaranteed results!
We have local offices throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Whether you’re a resident near Charlotte, NC, Baltimore, MD, or Knoxville, TN, there’s a team of ’58 foundation experts ready to help!
If you’re worried that you’re having a cracking foundation situation, you can always lean on ’58 for help! Contact us today to schedule for a free inspection and to receive a detailed estimate! Be sure to also ask about our industry-leading life-of-the-structure warranty and money-back guarantee!
You may have an untapped source of income under your house. Did you know that your basement could be made into an apartment?
Yes indeed, when it’s finished, safe and comfortable, your basement could become an apartment that enables you to collect a steady—and substantial—rental income.
But this income could vanish in an instant if your basement were to flood.
Though your foundation walls and floor are made of concrete, even the strongest building materials can give way to the powerful force water produces.
When it rains, water soaks into the soil around your home. Some of the water may come to rest against your foundation and begin to build as the water table rises. Once the water meets your foundation, the water creates what’s known as hydrostatic pressure.
The pressure can cause groundwater to seep through the cold joints of your foundation and infiltrate your basement. Meanwhile, moisture may penetrate the foundation’s porous concrete, adding to the humidity in the basement. Hydrostatic pressure can lead to a variety of problems:
As you can imagine, these kinds of problems could leave a basement apartment swamped with water and moisture, and/or damage the home’s structure. In both cases, the basement is unsuitable as an apartment.
A wet or damp basement can also lead to:
In addition to causing structural damage, the moldy environment can pollute your indoor air with allergens including mold spores and dust mite fecal particles. Individuals with mold allergies, respiratory illnesses, or a compromised immune system can become quite sick because of these allergens.
While there’s no way to block out 100% of the water and moisture, your basement can be made livable with an interior basement waterproofing system that directs water away from your home.
At a minimum, an interior waterproofing system involves:
Depending on the situation, there may be a need for additional components such as dehumidifiers, moisture vapor barriers, and rigid sealers.
An interior waterproofing system features drainage channels installed either on or beside the footer at the perimeter of your basement’s interior. The drainage channels capture water as it comes to meet your foundation and guides the groundwater towards a sump pit where a sump pump dispenses it through the discharge pipe to a safe distance from your home.
This whole process will reduce the hydrostatic pressure on your foundation. In turn, this lowers the chances of groundwater intrusion and invasive moisture.
After putting a robust, long-term waterproofing system in place, you’ll be all set to create an apartment-style living space. Next steps include flooring, drywall, carpentry, and anything else you may need to set up a basement apartment.
’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been protecting basements against the effects of groundwater intrusion and moisture since 1958.
For your peace of mind, we offer an industry-leading life-of-the-structure warranty and a money-back guarantee to back our work. We take pride in the more than 2,000 positive online reviews we’ve earned, and we’ve even won the Torch Award for Ethics from the Better Business Bureau.
’58 Foundations & Waterproofing goes beyond just being a basement waterproofing contractor—we’re the waterproofing company that homeowners love. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection and to receive a zero-obligation cost estimate.
Rental incomes are sourced from the “World Population Review” website.
Worried about cracks you’ve found in your foundation? Is there water leaking down your basement wall when it rains? Foundation problems like these and more never get better on their own. They never correct themselves and the best that you can hope for is that they remain the same. The health of a foundation is similar in some ways to the health of a person. The sooner the problem is diagnosed and treated, the greater the odds of complete recovery. But the longer a foundation problem lasts, the more complex it becomes and the more expensive it is to repair. Foundation problems can spiral out of control to the point that it can cause further structural damage to other parts of your house. The real cost comes from doing nothing.
But before you call the first contractor your see, it is important to make sure that you’re putting your trust in a qualified foundation repair professional. Here’s why…
A poor job in repairing your foundation means having to repair it again. Your hard-earned money should go to a contractor that knows how to get the job done right and is proud to stand behind their work. The goal should be to repair your foundation and restore your peace of mind!
A trustworthy foundation repair company should at least meet these requirements…
No two homes are the same. Your foundation repair costs will depend on a variety of factors such as the size of your foundation, the severity of damages, and what kinds of foundation problems have been found. It can be as simple as repairing a small crack in your concrete foundation. Or it could be a combination of installing a basement waterproofing system, repairing cracked basement walls, and stabilizing a sinking foundation with helical piers. Ultimately, the best way to limit your foundation repair costs is to address your foundation problems as soon as possible. Do not allow those problems to get worse.
’58 Foundations & Waterproofing is a licensed and insured company that specializes in foundation repair as well as other services including basement waterproofing, crawlspace encapsulation, and even mold removal. We’re an award-winning company that’s been in business since 1958. For over 64 years, we’ve been committed to providing five-star customer experiences. We’re proud to use long-lasting and high-quality products such as our ’58 Strong Helical Piers, ’58 Strong I-Beams, and our Carbon ’58 Wall Straps to repair and stabilize house foundations just like yours.
We have local offices located all throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Whether you’re a resident near Knoxville, TN, Arlington, VA, or Atlanta, GA, you can always count on the expertise of ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing! Contact us today to schedule for a free inspection and receive a detailed price quote at no obligation. Be sure to ask us about our industry-leading life-of-the-structure warranty and money-back guarantee!
Doors that no longer open/close smoothly and evenly with the door jamb can be caused by something as simple as loose hinges. But it can also be from something a little harder to detect: a problem in the foundation. Before you get worried, be sure to check the hinges and hinge screws first—maybe it’s a quick fix!
If the door is properly connected to the door jamb, and there hasn’t been a change to the floor, then it’s time to check for other signs of foundation problems and not just assume changes in humidity are the cause of the door malfunction. But remember, if no other signs exist, problems like doors that don’t open/close correctly can be significant enough to warrant calling an expert for a full inspection. It’s always better to solve the problem before it gets worse.
Other common symptoms to check for:
Keep in mind that there are other symptoms of foundation problems not included in the short list above.
Before checking the house, it might be a good idea to learn about some common signs of water intruding into your basement or crawlspace—foundation problems can be caused by waterproofing problems and vice versa. Here are a few more common signs of water coming into your basement or crawlspace:
If the answer to any of these is yes, calling a professional who can solve your waterproofing and foundation repair needs is a good idea—neither of these go away on their own, but they both do get worse over time.
If you are noticing doors not opening or closing properly, we have the foundation repair solutions you need to solve these problems. Check with your nearest ‘58 Foundations & Waterproofing location for additional information.
Cracks in the interior basement walls are a possible symptom of foundation problems that may require repair.
Some basement wall cracks occur simply due to concrete shrinkage from when the home was built. If these hairline cracks aren’t leaking or getting larger, then most likely there’s no problem to be concerned about.
But if the cracks in the interior walls are large, or the basement wall is bulging and/or bowing, this could be a symptom of a more serious problem.
Here are a few things to look for to try to understand the problem:
If you discover any of these warning signs, you may require a local basement wall repair contractor to perform an inspection. ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing can help determine what’s causing these symptoms and how to tackle the source of the problem.
There are two possible causes for cracks in the interior walls. These kinds of basement wall cracks can occur due to…
Foundation settlement tends to be because of changes to the soil beneath the foundation. Some examples include soil compaction and soil displacement by groundwater.
Water is a common culprit when it comes to basement wall cracks. Here are a few quick tips that will help:
These steps will help minimize the amount of water that reaches your foundation, which can reduce the chance of cracks in the interior walls.
’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has been helping homeowners like you since 1958! Our five-star services include…
Since 1958, we’ve been continually perfecting our methods. We offer quality products like our ’58 Strong Helical Piers to stabilize foundations and our Carbon ’58 Wall Straps to stop further movement of those cracks in the interior walls. If groundwater is a part of the problem, our ’58 basement waterproofing system will keep that water moving away from your home using specially-engineered products such as our Channel ’58 drainage channels. Whatever is causing the cracks in the interior walls of your basement, we’ll have a comprehensive solution for you.
To schedule for a free inspection and price quote, contact us today! We have local offices all throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Whether you live near Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, or Johnson City, TN, you can rest easy knowing that ’58 is there to help with all your basement wall cracks! Be sure to ask about our life-of-the-structure warranty and money-back guarantee!
Cracks in exterior foundation walls are most commonly caused by uneven settling of the foundation or from hydro static pressure from outside.
Symptoms can range from foundation cracks such as basement wall cracks to sloped floors inside the home. You may also notice other signs including:
While there are many possible symptoms of a settling foundation, cracks in exterior foundation walls or any of these other indicators is reason to call a local foundation wall crack repair company like ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing.
Not all cracks in exterior foundation walls are cause for alarm. Sometimes, as concrete dries, a hairline crack may appear in the process. These cracks are harmless. If you spot one of these cracks, check on it regularly to make sure it isn’t growing or widening. If the crack is changing, then it may be the product of uneven foundation settlement. A local foundation wall crack repair company like ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing can help provide a free inspection to let you know if that crack is anything to worry about.
Many foundation problems, including some uneven settling problems, are often caused by water. Groundwater can wreak havoc on foundations as hydrostatic pressure builds in the soil around the foundation. Addressing these cracks in your exterior foundation walls is important as they can only get worse with time. This can lead to worse problems and lower home values.
With over 65 years of experience in foundation repair, ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing has the quality products and honest methods to stabilize and repair your cracked foundation walls. From our Carbon ’58 Wall Straps to our ’58 Strong Galvanized Helical Piers, we have the tools to create a customized solution and restore your peace of mind. What’s more, we’re the local foundation wall crack repair company that offers an industry-unique life-of-the-structure warranty and money-back guarantee!
Contact your local ’58 Foundations & Waterproofing office to learn more about our local foundation wall crack repair solutions. We have offices throughout the Eastern Seaboard, whether you’re near Philadelphia, PA, Chattanooga, TN, or Atlanta, GA. We’ll help schedule you for a free inspection and provide you with a free price quote. Our local ’58 foundation repair experts will be happy to answer any questions and concerns about cracks in your exterior foundation walls!
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