Repair Your Bowed Walls

A common sign of an improperly settled foundation under your home is bowed walls. Slight bowing may not seem like a huge problem at first glance, but it’s best to fix the issue right away before it worsens and ultimately compromises the structure of your home. 

The team at American Foundation & Waterproofing can inspect and repair your bowed basement and foundation walls in Chattanooga and create a plan of action. Our highly skilled experts have worked on homes all throughout Tennessee, north Georgia and western North Carolina. Contact us today for a free inspection!

WHAT IS A BOWING FOUNDATION WALL?

When foundation settlement is causing issues, you might assume that the walls of your basement would curve outward. However, bowed foundation walls will actually bulge inward, which is known as inward deflection.

In addition to bulging walls, you may also notice vertical or horizontal cracks on the surface. These cracks appear because of pressure on the concrete and will usually spread in various directions as the bowing gets worse. Humidity or rain will often cause the cracks to expand.

Diagram of bowed walls

WHAT CAUSES A FOUNDATION WALL TO BOW?

Bowed walls can occur because of a few factors. Our bowed basement and foundation wall repair team in Chattanooga can address bowed walls regardless of what’s causing the issue, but it helps to understand the root of the problem. By identifying any of these issues around your foundation, we can offer preventative action rather than waiting to fix a bowed foundation wall.

As weather conditions change, the soil in the ground can expand and contract. This shift in the soil can put a lot of pressure on the foundation walls. When soil becomes wet, it can expand and push against the walls, which causes them to bow or bulge under the pressure. You may even notice cracks in certain areas as the walls buckle from the stress.

HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE

Heavy rainfall can seep into the ground surrounding your home, causing the soil to become dense with water. As a result, this pressure, known as hydrostatic pressure, builds against the foundation walls and forces them to bow inward.

FROZEN SOIL

Soil can freeze in extremely low temperatures, even if you don’t experience snowfall. As this happens, the soil expands and pushes against the foundation walls. Bowed walls are often caused by these weather conditions.

EXTREME WEIGHT

Parked vehicles or heavy machinery can also affect the soil, which is why driveways should be positioned several feet from your home’s foundation. This heavy weight can cause unnecessary pressure, which shifts and compacts the soil. Unstable soil can lead to bowed walls.

BOWED WALL REPAIR SOLUTIONS

We can assess the condition of your bowed walls to determine the best solution. Our team will provide stability to your walls and can reposition them to their original state. We offer a wide range of repair products for bowed basement and foundation walls in Chattanooga, manufactured by Supportworks, which is one of the leaders in the industry. 

Geo lock in basement walls

GeoLock™ Anchor

GeoLock™ Anchors are a great option to support bowed walls. These anchors are made of heavy-duty galvanized steel and are connected to steel rods, which are inserted into the soil and can support the wall’s weight.

Power braces in basement walls

PowerBrace™

The PowerBrace™ system is a customizable option that can be measured to fit your walls to ensure they have a stable base. The system contains steel beams that are zinc-plated, which are installed against the bowed walls to provide proper support.

Carbon armor in drywall in basement

CarbonArmor®

If you’re looking for a less invasive option, the CarbonArmor® system is an ideal choice. This system uses carbon fiber polymers that are reinforced and uniquely designed. The durable polymers are installed into the walls and provide maximum flexibility to adapt to any movement or shifting of the soil.

Helical pier close-up

Helical Anchor

Helical anchors prevent bowing or tilting by securing the wall in place. Helical anchors are mechanically inserted into the ground until they reach load-bearing soil, then attached to wall plates.

Rely on American Foundation for Bowed Wall Repair

Whether your walls are in really bad shape or just starting to show signs of damage, the team at American Foundation & Waterproofing can identify the problem and recommend the best solution to resolve the issue. Contact us today for a free inspection and estimate to get started on your bowed wall repair project in Chattanooga!