One day you go down to the basement and notice something a little different. There is a crack in your foundation wall and the wall is bowing inwards. Uh oh!
This is a situation that homeowners unfortunately encounter all the time. Foundation walls, even if they are well-built, can bow or bulge under immense external pressure, causing them to crack. Once you notice that a basement wall is bulging inwards, it’s time to take stock of the situation, take a few measurements, and create a plan for what happens next. Your attention in monitoring and addressing the problem is crucial for the continued integrity of your foundation. Importantly, if you catch the problem quickly, you can remedy it at a much lower cost than if you wait until it becomes a bigger problem. Ignoring the problem of bulging basement walls won’t make it go away!
Why Do Basement Walls Bulge and Bow Inwards?
The most common reason for foundation walls to bow inwards is because of soil that has high clay content. Clay is heavy and retains a lot of water, expanding and contracting as it gains or loses water. All this expanding and contracting means that clay soil will want to expand against the outside foundation wall, exerting enormous pressure. This pressure can cause it to crack.
There are other reasons foundation walls can crack, including freezing soil that expands against your foundation, and heavy objects (like driveways or concrete patios) placed around your foundation. Though the foundation is strong, great soil pressure will likely make it vulnerable over time.
Your Basement Wall is Bulging, What To Do Next
The first thing to do when you notice your basement wall bulging inwards is to take a measurement. You want to take stock of how far the wall has bowed inwards. This is best done by attaching a small weight to a string and holding it at the innermost point of the bowed wall. Make a mark where the string’s weight hits the floor. Then measure from the wall at the floor to the mark. This is a measurement of how far your wall has bowed, sometimes called a “deflection” distance. If the distance you measure is under 2 inches then you can afford to monitor the situation while reinforcing the walls (for instance, with a product like Gorilla Wall Braces). If the distance is over 2 inches then you need to make an immediate plan to prevent the wall from further bowing and to get it straight again. In both situations, a product that reinforces and straightens the walls–like Gorilla Wall Braces–will be helpful.
How Long Can You Wait Before Fixing Bulging Basement Walls?
This is really a question of how bad the problem has become. If your bowed wall has a deflection distance of an inch or two, it is already starting to fail and will likely get worse. Come up with a plan to reinforce before it becomes a more costly repair. If your bowed basement wall has a higher deflection distance, then you’re going to want to develop an immediate plan of action, either by doing the work yourself, or by hiring a contractor to fix it for you.
How Can I Fix Bowed or Bulging Basement Walls?
You have a choice in how you decide to address the problem of bowing or bulging basement walls. If the deflection distance is small, then a DIY solution may be accessible to you. We invite you to check out Gorilla Wall Braces, which are the leading DIY solution for bulging basement walls. Even if you decide to do it yourself, it is advisable to seek professional advice. If your deflection distance is larger than 3 or 4 inches, you will want to discuss the project with a contractor or structural engineer. Don’t forget to act quickly if your deflection distance is already more than one or two inches.
Time Is Of The Essence
Once your basement wall starts to crack and bulge, it has been weakened. That means that now any pressure exerted on it will meet less resistance. If you notice that the deflection distance gets bigger or a crack rapidly expands, then it’s time to seek professional help immediately as your basement wall could fail.
Thinking of Gorilla Wall Braces?
Gorilla Wall Braces are a great product for DIY homeowners who want to address the problem of bulging foundation walls themselves. They are recommended by engineers and have helped thousands of people straighten and reinforce their bulging or bowing basement walls. We can help you find the product that’s right for your situation and get you everything you need to start straightening your basement walls. Find a selection of our products here.
