Basement wall bowing is a structural issue caused by excessive pressure from soil and water pushing against your home’s foundation. The pressure can cause your basement wall to bow, crack, or collapse. If you notice your wall bowing, schedule basement repair promptly to avoid further damage to your property. Here are some reasons basement wall bowing is increasing in Belleville properties:
Hydrostatic Pressure
Belleville has clay-rich soil, which expands and contracts easily in response to changes in moisture. During rainy seasons and snow melts, the clay absorbs water and expands. The expansion pushes against your foundation and basement walls. This force, also known as hydrostatic pressure, can cause your basement walls to bow inward over time. Belleville experiences seasonal variations in rainfall and temperature, which leads to repetitive expansion and contraction.
Regularly inspecting your home helps identify early signs of basement or foundational damage. If you notice cracking or bowing, scheduling basement repair helps prevent damage from worsening. Extreme weather events, like rainstorms and flooding, can cause significant expansion, increasing the risk of bowing. If you live in an old Belleville home, your basement walls may not withstand the movement and weight of the saturated soil. Early repair allows you to reinforce the foundation and direct water away from your home.
Poor Waterproofing
Proper drainage systems help direct water away from the foundation, preventing water from pooling and seeping into the soil around the foundation and basement walls. Older Belleville homes may not have adequate waterproofing and drainage systems. Without waterproofing membranes, drain tiles, and sump pumps, moisture builds up in the soil around the foundation.
A foundation repair company can assess your home’s waterproofing systems. After an inspection, they may fix cracks, install barriers, and redirect water flow. Some foundation repair companies also clean gutters and extend downspouts to prevent water pooling around your home. Other waterproofing services include grading the lot to slope away from your home. Scheduling preventative waterproofing and maintenance reduces the risk of flooding, minimizing moisture buildup and hydrostatic pressure.
Aging Construction
Old homes feature foundations built using construction standards and materials that no longer withstand today’s environmental stresses. Some common construction concerns older homes may face include:
- Missing or weak basement wall reinforcements
- Aging mortar and weak concrete that crack or crumble, increasing the risk of water infiltration and bowing
- Inadequate sealing that lets moisture seep into construction materials
- Foundations settling over time, exposing weaker walls to lateral pressure
Tree roots can be an overlooked cause of foundation damage in older homes. They may ingress near or beyond the foundation, compromising structural integrity and creating new pathways for water to enter your home. Tree roots also absorb moisture from the surrounding soil, causing shrinkage and destabilization that may cause wall bowing.
Soil Displacement
New housing developments cause disturbance to native soil, changing the way water flows around neighboring properties. Excavations and constructions alter drainage paths and soil compaction, which can impact soil structure around your home’s foundation. Builders should establish proper retaining and drainage measures to prevent pressure on the foundations of adjacent properties.
Frost heave and seasonal shifts also lead to gradual bowing. During freeze-thaw cycles, the soil expands and contracts, gradually shifting the soil. Over time, the shift may cause excess lateral pressure on basement walls, causing them to bow or crack. Poor drainage, clogged gutters, and inadequate waterproofing also encourage flooding, further exacerbating soil displacement.
Schedule Basement Repair Today
Addressing basement damage promptly helps prevent structural collapse and accidents. Some foundation repair experts offer an annual inspection program designed to identify and repair signs of damage before they worsen. Contact a basement repair company today to find a solution for bowing walls, cracks, and other issues.
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