Signs of Foundation Failure

Bowing Basement Walls

<a id="Overview">

House Foundation walls can be pushed in and damaged by soil pressure. Perhaps the soil’s weight is too great to be held back by the foundation wall. In other cases, soil with high clay content expands during wet weather, exerting extra pressure against below-grade and basement foundation walls. Whatever the cause, there are several signs of foundation wall damage. Horizontal cracks across your basement foundation walls or stair-stepped cracks in a block foundation are the more common indicators that you have a foundation wall issue before it starts to actually bow. Get your free foundation repair estimate today!

<a id="Signs">

Signs

Do your walls need a foundation repair company?

Cracked and bowing basement walls can develop immediately following construction or years later as changes occur within the soils that surround your home. If you notice this, have your foundation inspected by a specialist to determine if you need a bowing wall repair before the foundation repair cost becomes greater from neglect.

Common signs of bowing foundation problems Horizontal cracking near the middle of the wall is one of the first symptoms you'll notice when it's bowing. Horizontal cracks usually start small and increase in width over time. A foundation repair specialist will be able to install the right system to fix your foundation in place and prevent the damage from spreading. Once the wall is secure, the foundation crack repair can be done without the threat of it returning.

<a id="Causes">

Causes

How did this happen?

  • Hydrostatic pressure

    When the soil around your house becomes saturated with water from heavy rains or water leaks, the water exerts additional pressure against the walls.

  • Expansive clay soil

    Clay is a common soil type in many areas. It expands and contracts as the amount of moisture in the ground increases or decreases. When you see dirt with cracks at the surface during a dry spell, this is what you’re actually seeing – clay soil shrinks when it gets dry. When it rains and the clay soil gets wet it expands. This increase in size puts a lot of pressure on your basement walls. When the pressure is more than the wall can handle, the wall begins to push inward.

  • Frost

    In areas with cold winter climates, frost can put pressure on a wall and cause it to fail, especially if the basement is unheated. Frost forces can be extremely powerful and can even lift shallow foundations up out of the ground, causing significant damage to the home.

<a id="Why Fix?">

person on the phone fixing their problem now!

Why fix your foundation problems now and not later?

  • Foundation problems only get worse over time. Hoping, praying and putting them out of your mind won’t reverse the symptoms and make the situation better.
  • Foundation problems will never be less expensive to fix than they are today.
  • This is your home’s foundation we’re talking about. It supports your house and everything in it, including your family. Do you really want to let it deteriorate?

The Real Estate Seller Disclosure Act requires foundation repair needs to be disclosed to potential home buyers. Realtors tell us they are forced to discount homes with foundation structural defects 10-20% to make a sale. What is your home worth in today’s market? Imagine losing that much money from your home’s value by not permanently fixing your foundation!

<a id="What To Expect">

What To Expect

Ready to get started?

Schedule a free estimate to start your repair journey with Foundation Supportworks.

Schedule your inspection

Fill out our form or give us a call to book your inspection. Share what you’ve noticed so we can send the right expert to your home.

Full home
inspection

An expert will inspect the problem area and surrounding conditions, including soil movement, drainage, structural integrity, and any related concerns.

Clear explanation
of findings

We’ll walk you through what we’re seeing in easy-to-understand language so you know the root cause of the issue, not just the symptoms.

Review recommendations

If repairs are needed, we’ll outline your options, pricing, and timeline so you can make the best decision for your home.

Find your local Foundation Supportworks dealer

Enter your zip code to be redirected to your nearest dealer’s page.

Foundation & concrete problems don't get better with time, they get better with us.

Find a foundation repair or concrete company near you to fix them, so you can breathe easy and sleep well tonight. Our specialists will deliver the most precise and competitive foundation repair estimate available.