Category: Blog

When it comes to foundations, even the newest of homes are prone to damage. Whether you find cracks in the walls, sinking floorboards, or other signs of foundation problems, it’s imperative to have them addressed by professionals. The failure to do so could result in catastrophic consequences for not only your home but also your wallet. Here, Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing, home to a team of fully licensed, bonded, and insured foundation repair professionals, describes what could go wrong if you ignore the warning signs.

Damage Spreading Beyond the Foundation

Over time, foundations tend to sag into the soil, creating so much pressure that it can actually crack. When this happens, the home’s structural integrity is diminished, and unfortunately, the damage may extend beyond the foundation if not immediately taken care of. Some examples include:

Water Damage

Once cracks in the foundation are evident, moisture and water have a way to enter your basement and crawlspace and further threaten your home’s structural integrity.

Plumbing Damage

When soil contracts or expands, both above-ground and underground plumbing pipes can crack and break. When this happens underneath the foundation, it can be hard to access the pipes and fix the problem.

Structural Damage

It might begin with the foundation, but before you know it, structural damage will spread beyond the home’s base into areas like doors, walls, floors, and ceilings.

Insects, Mold, and Mildew

Clay-based soils that surround many foundations either expand or contract as they gain or shed moisture. Eventually, the result is structural damage that becomes a dank, damp breeding ground for insect infestations, as well as the growth of mold and mildew.

Procrastinating on foundation repairs not only invites in creepy, crawly creatures like spiders, termites, silverfish, and carpenter ants (just to name a few), but it also means you’ll rack up some hefty exterminator fees. And when it comes to mold and mildew, these problems only worsen preexisting structural damage and are harmful to your family’s health. In short, the only way to avoid these unfortunate outcomes is with routine foundation maintenance and repairs.

Lost Home Value and Increased Costs

If you’re interested in selling your home someday, foundation damage could prove problematic. Inspections are a standard part of the real estate buying and selling process, and buyers are much less likely to pay market value for a home that will cost them extra for foundation repairs. Plus, while you’re still living there, foundation problems have shown to raise utility bills. This is because structural damage makes heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems work harder to regulate your home’s temperature, and it can also cause drafts.

Mitigate These Consequences with Professional Foundation Repair Services

If you’re like most homeowners, problems like these are the last thing you want to deal with. At the first sign of foundation damage or failure, be sure to call on the professionals at Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing. There are several solutions available, such as foundation wall anchors and piers, to restore your home’s structural integrity and prevent further damage. For more information about foundation repairs in Northeast Ohio, contact us today.

Cracks in the walls of your foundation are typically the result of long-term exposure to wet or damp soil. These conditions, caused naturally by rain or snow, may even cause complete foundation failure. Luckily, wall stabilization products, such as anchors, are available to strengthen the home’s foundation and prevent cracks and failure from occurring. Here, Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing, serving Northeast Ohio, provides the top four benefits of installing retaining wall anchors and basement wall anchors.

Cost-Effective Solution

Whether you’re repairing your longtime family home or working to flip a property, one of the most important considerations when it comes to foundation repairs is the cost. At Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing, our clients are always pleasantly surprised to learn that our wall anchor systems are among the most cost-effective solutions available for these types of circumstances. What’s more, installing wall anchors also can contribute to restoring – or even enhancing – the overall value of the home.

No Interference with the Home’s Design

One of the biggest concerns homeowners or designers usually have is that a wall anchor system will interfere with the home’s interior aesthetic or landscaping. That’s why our fully licensed, bonded, and insured team is happy to report that these wall stabilization solutions are easy to conceal when finishing a basement. Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing’s installation process requires minimal disturbance to the home and landscaping, as we don’t need to use floor joists to support the system. This ensures you’re receiving an answer to your problems – not a solution that will cause future headaches.

No Maintenance Required

Perhaps one of the most attractive advantages wall anchor systems provide is that they are maintenance-free. In other words, once the system is installed, homeowners can simply live with the peace of mind that their foundation is stabilized – without having to worry about routine maintenance. That’s because our wall anchors are fabricated from galvanized, heavy-duty materials, which are designed to provide long-term performance. Plus, with such a system in place, it’s more unlikely that the home would require additional repairs to the foundation during the time your family or clients are living there.

Fast Installation Available Year-Round

When it comes to our wall anchor systems for basement and retaining walls, installation can be completed in as little as one day. Without having to replace the foundation or remove walls, which other companies may suggest, our team uses top-quality wall anchors to:

• Mitigate hydrostatic pressure, water-buildup in the soil that forces its way into the foundation’s porous cracks
• Brace the walls
• Prevent warping or movement from progressing

Aside from being completed swiftly, wall anchor installation also can be done at any time of the year – even in the wettest summer months or snowiest days of winter.

Learn More about Wall Anchor Systems or Get Started Today

These are just a handful of the reasons installing a retaining wall and basement wall anchor system is so advantageous to homeowners and house flippers. For more information about these services or our wall stabilization and waterproofing solutions, contact Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing, which proudly serves Northeast Ohio from our location in Stow, OH.

You’ve made a discovery that no homeowner or house flipper ever wants to encounter – a huge crack in the foundation or other signs of damage to the basement and retaining walls. When it comes to these problems, time isn’t on your side, and they need to be addressed as soon as possible. Is it time to completely replace the foundation, or are there viable repair options that could stabilize the wall, as well as prevent further damage or even total foundation failure? Here, Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing, serving Northeast Ohio, weighs the pros and cons of foundation repair vs. replacing it outright.

Considerations About Foundation Replacement

Though rare, some cases call for a total foundation replacement. This process entails heavy equipment, which is used to:

• Excavate all soil around the home
• Uncover the foundation
• Remove any features surrounding the foundation, such as walkways, gardens, and porches
• Insert temporary supports for the removal of the foundation walls and slab floor

Once the new foundation is complete, this equipment lowers the house back into its proper place. Crews also will replace disturbed soil and restore as many landscaping features as they can. While an advantage of foundation replacement is that the home sits upon a completely new support system, there are several cons to this process, including:

• More costly than foundation repairs
• Disruptive process affects the home’s interior design and landscaping
• Time-consuming and can only be performed during certain times of the year

Considerations About Foundation Repair

Homes of all ages – even the newest builds – are prone to foundation damage. Rain and snow will inevitably soak the soil surrounding the foundation, which leads to cracked walls and floors, warping, and more. That’s why many view foundation repair to be the ideal solution, as products such as foundation wall anchors and piers can prevent the need for replacement and slow or stop future damage altogether. Some of the biggest pros for repairing your foundation include the following and more:

• Does not require heavy machinery as with a total replacement
• More cost- and time-effective, with repairs being completed in as little as one day
• Systems that are easy to conceal upon the basement being finished
• Zero interference with landscaping features or interior design
• Fix-and-forget solution that requires no routine maintenance

The products used are designed with heavy-duty, galvanized materials to ensure the home’s foundation only needs to be repaired once. However, as the home continues to settle into the foundation over time, it can’t be ruled out that future repairs may be needed.

Contact Us For Expert Advice

Unless the conditions with your home’s foundation are extreme, Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing believes that foundation repair is a more advantageous avenue than total replacement. Serving Northeast Ohio, our fully licensed, bonded, and insured team is standing by to help you find solutions for your foundation’s issues. If your home does not require a full foundation replacement, our products, such as PierTech Helical Piers, might be recommended. For more information, contact us today.

Basement waterproofing is an important step for any homeowner or house flipper. When it’s done properly and with high-quality materials, it can prevent the growth of mold and mildew, and go a long way in preserving the integrity of the home’s foundation. However, far too many choose the DIY approach and use waterproof paints or wall coatings – an approach that often fails. Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing in Stow, OH, serves customers throughout northeast Ohio. Here, they explain why you should avoid these do-it-yourself products and instead place your trust in a basement waterproofing professional.

The Problems with Waterproof Paints and Wall Coatings

To fully understand the issues with these products, it helps to understand their composition. Waterproof paints and wall coatings are sold at home improvement centers everywhere, and they generally are comprised of a latex or oil base. Due to the organic materials these products contain, preventing mold from growing on walls and surfaces cannot be guaranteed.

Waterproof paints and wall coating manufacturers also make claims that often turn out to be false, such as the ability to mitigate moisture penetration and fully waterproof a basement. The products can seep into porous concrete surfaces, but they cannot travel deeply enough into the walls to provide a long-term waterproofing solution. Plus, over time, moisture will continue to accumulate behind the foundation walls, and these paints and coatings tend to flake or peel off within just a few months.

In addition, many of these products promise that they can withstand continuous pressure. However, they can typically only withstand a pressure per square inch (psi) of between eight and 12 pounds. By comparison, this is about four times less than the continuous psi of a washing machine hose – not the best measure of performance when it comes to waterproofing your basement.

Finding More Effective Solutions

Instead of opting for a lower-quality product with a fast turnaround time, homeowners and sellers should invest in the assistance of a professional waterproofing service. At Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing, our basement waterproofing solutions more than make up for the shortcomings of waterproof paints and wall coatings. Instead of simply coating the walls with a subpar product, our waterproofing techniques feature interior and exterior barriers that keep water out of and away from the home’s basement and foundation, such as:

• Waterproofing layer: Our team applies a top-grade solution to the basement’s interior and exterior walls. We highly recommend applying it to the floors as well to prevent water from seeping inside from the ground below.
• Wall barriers and piping systems: We eliminate water infiltration with the installation of physical wall barriers, such as a plastic membrane or another solution. This approach also requires a piping system to be built, which channels water away from the home and into sewer systems.
• Perimeter drains and sump pumps: Because water can infiltrate a basement’s floor, perimeter drains, also known as French drains, direct the water into a basin and pumping system, known as a sump pump. These solutions lead water into the main sewage system.

Get Professional Waterproofing Advice

To learn more about tackling your basement waterproofing project with our fully licensed, bonded, and insured team of professionals, contact Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing in Northeast Ohio.

Basement soil surrounds basement walls, which are a vital part of your home’s structural foundation. When this soil expands, it can cause significant bowing in basement walls. Bowed walls slant inwards and aren’t generally noticeable at first. Once the bowing causes cracks or becomes more pronounced, these walls become easier to spot. Bowed basement walls can spell trouble for your home’s structural integrity because they will eventually crumble and collapse if left unchecked.

What Is Expansive Basement Soil? 

Sandy soils remain stable as water passes through, making these soils a good choice for building on because the water drains away from the structure. Soils rich in clay are an entirely different matter because they go through significant changes based on moisture content. Clay is considered an expansive soil, and though it’s not ideal for new construction, it’s so abundant in some areas of the country that builders often don’t have a choice.

Expansive soils have high concentrations of absorptive clay and expand when they become saturated with water, and then shrink when they dry out again. Absorptive clay can increase in volume by 10% or more when it gets wet, which puts enormous pressure on the basement and foundation walls.

The pressure created by expansive clay soil is enough to bow and crack foundation walls and floor slabs, making your home’s entire foundation move. Furthermore, the shrinkage that occurs during drying puts even more stress on concrete foundations and walls. Constant swelling and shrinking may create fissures in the soil that lets water seep into basement walls, causing further problems.

Signs Of Expansive Soil Damage

Basement walls showing signs of bowing gets worse over time and should be addressed right away to ensure the continued integrity of your home. Bowed walls is a major sign of extensive basement soil damage, but other signs include:

• Soil pulling away from foundation walls
• Cracks in bricks or brick veneer
• Water seepage in the basement
• Diagonal cracks along the corners of foundation walls
• Horizontal wall cracks
• Jammed windows and doors
• Cracks in concrete garage or driveway slabs

Tips To Limit Expansive Soil Damage

Expansive basement soils cause the most damage when there are significant or repeated changes to the moisture content. The best way to limit the amount of damage caused by expansive soil is to maintain a constant moisture level.

For new construction, pre-wetting expansive soils before pouring the foundation may limit further expansion after you build the foundation. In existing structures, install a soaker hose to water the soil during dry periods to prevent extreme drying out that makes it shrink. This may help stabilize foundation movement when the soil expands after it becomes overly saturated again.

Wall Anchors For Bowed Walls

Bowed basement walls are a serious threat to your home and require immediate action, but repairing basement walls should be left up to professionals. Foundation experts often use wall anchor systems designed to stabilize bowed or leaning foundation walls and avoid the need to completely replace the foundation.

Wall anchor systems utilize heavy-duty, galvanized anchors embedded into stable soil outside the foundation wall. These anchors are connected via a metal rod to a plate attached to the bowed basement wall. Over time, the tension between the anchor and the plate is slowly increased to straighten the wall back into its original, upright position.

We Fix Bowed Walls In Northeast Ohio

Our foundation experts at Premier Wall Anchor & Waterproofing in Stow, Ohio, install top products guaranteed to provide years of stabilization. Our fully licensed, bonded, and insured technicians are fully equipped to address bowed wall repairs with our Premier Wall Anchor System. Backed by a Lifetime Transferable Warranty, our wall anchors are less disruptive and more affordable than foundation wall replacement.

We’ve been in the foundation repair business for over 13 years and specialize in the quick installation of wall anchors that require minimal excavation and landscape disturbances. Contact us at 800-573-7170 to schedule an evaluation and let us combat your bowed basement walls and ensure the continued health of your home.

Damages, such as cracks or warps, to your basement walls, may indicate underlying structural or foundation issues, and leaky pipes, appliances, or windows can lead to the growth of mold and mildew behind the walls. This leakage can ruin the drywall and even the studs. And if it’s a slow leak that you haven’t detected, you might not realize that toxic mold has grown inside the walls until it has reached malodorous or particularly harmful levels. 

As a professional basement and foundation repair company, we at Premier Wall Anchor and Waterproofing have seen and repaired some of the worst-case scenarios involving basement damage experienced by homeowners in Ohio.

What Causes Worst-Case Scenario Basement Damage?

Water leaks can be among the most damaging to the home, and it doesn’t have to just come from a burst pipe. Old, corroded water heaters can flood a basement or the city water main that enters the house. And if you live in a flood zone or have gutters and rain spouts that empty too close to the home, water can seep into the walls and wreak havoc on the foundation.

Often, foundation damage is caused by hydrostatic pressure. This is thousands of pounds of weight from the soil surrounding the foundation that absorbs Spring rains and heavy melting snow. It causes the soil to expand and eventually shift the foundation. Hydrostatic pressure can cause so much stress to the basement walls that they end up collapsing, and that’s a worst-case scenario no one wants.

Keep an eye out for a shifted or cracked foundation which can be identified in the basement by bowing or cracking in the walls or uneven or distorted floors.

Fixing Foundation Damage

It’s crucial to get your foundation fixed immediately before a wall collapses. A damaged wall deteriorates over time and makes a home unsafe if left unattended. If the damage becomes too extensive, you may need to move out of your home while the walls and foundation are being repaired, but if you catch it in time, the damage may be minimal, saving you a boatload of money. 

The Dangers Of Water Damage In Your Basement

If your basement is unfinished, it may be chronically moist. An inspection can tell you for sure, but using a dehumidifier in the basement can eliminate the dangers of excessive humidity. Water in the walls can even affect your electrical wiring, which can cause a fire. It’s best to examine your basement regularly to check for cracks.

Small cracks in the basement walls, typically caused by the house settling, can lead to water damage. You may not even notice hairline cracks, especially if they’re closer to the ceiling or the basement is dimly lit. 

The worst-case scenario for water leaks is a wholly flooded basement and damage to your belongings or the collapse of your home. Most people notice instant flooding, and if you’re able, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve, usually located in the basement or outside wall. However, flooding can be from external causes, too, and in these cases, you may not be able to stop it and should safely evacuate your home and call for emergency services.

Cleaning Up Water Damage

If your pipe has burst, it’s vital to remove the water and then to fix the walls and inspect the beams and joists for structural damage. If you have mold or mildew — you can tell if your basement smells like wet newspapers — you may need a remediation service to safely remove all of the mold spores and treat your home to prevent regrowth. A professional basement and foundation repair company can determine the extent of the damage.

Contact Us For All Of Your Basement Structural Needs

If you’ve noticed some of these signs of damage to your basement, such as bowing walls or odors that indicate mold or mildew, it’s time for an assessment from our specialists at Premier Wall Anchor and Waterproofing. We can analyze any damage and give you a fair, no-obligation quote to repair it. Give us a call at (800) 573-7170, or visit us online today — don’t wait for a worst-case scenario!

Homebuilding technology has evolved considerably over the last several decades — vinyl siding, for example, has steadily grown in popularity since the ’50s, and spray foam is now commonly used to fill in voids around windows and doors in lieu of fiberglass insulation.

The way basement walls are repaired has also evolved. Where in the past, steel I-beams were often used to correct bows or bulges in basement walls, carbon fiber has become a new method for repairing and strengthening foundations. Find out more about carbon fiber basement walls, and how it can help add strength and rigidity to your existing foundation.

Structural Repair with Carbon Fiber

While the previously mentioned steel I-beams are still used occasionally, the use of carbon fiber strips has grown considerably over the last decade and a half. They’re designed to work on both poured concrete and block walls and can be installed in full basements and crawl spaces.

What Is Carbon Fiber?

Carbon fiber is made of thin crystalline filaments of carbon and is used to strengthen the material. One of its primary advantages is its overall strength — It’s five times stronger than steel and twice as stiff, yet it’s extremely lightweight. It has numerous applications in manufacturing, engineering, and other industries.

Carbon Fiber Basement Walls

For foundations, carbon fiber offers suitable wall support that’s both durable and minimally invasive. Its installation doesn’t require excavation as with the addition of steel I-beams, so it’s quick to install and less disruptive to your home and its outdoor spaces.

Using carbon fiber to add structural rigidity to basement walls has numerous advantages, including:

• Quick to Install: While timelines vary according to the specifics of the project, a carbon fiber basement wall repair can be completed in a day or two, most of the time.
• Strength: Carbon fiber has the strength that’s unmatched by most other materials available. It’s not able to stretch, nor can it break, so when the strips are properly applied, the fix is permanent.
• Aesthetics: The carbon fiber within a basement wall is virtually unnoticeable and usually appears as a small bump along the wall’s surface.
• Virtually Maintenance-Free: As long as the carbon fiber strips are correctly installed, there’s no maintenance necessary from the installer or the homeowner.
• May Be Less Expensive: Compared to the potential cost of wall anchors or wall braces, carbon fiber may be easier on your budget since it’s generally less labor-intensive.

Carbon fiber repairs may not be suitable for all basement wall repair projects — as long as the wall has deflected or bowed generally within two inches or less, carbon fiber should work to correct it. At Premier Wall Anchor and Waterproofing, our trained professionals can help you decide whether carbon fiber basement wall repair is right for your situation.

Call Premier Wall Anchor and Waterproofing for Carbon Fiber Basement Wall Stabilization

If you’ve noticed your basement walls appear cracked, bowed, or bulged, you may benefit from the installation of carbon fiber to fix the problem. The trained professionals at Premier Wall Anchor and Waterproofing have the skills and experience to assist you with structural damage, leaking basement walls, and waterproofing services. Give us a call today at (800) 573-7170 to find out how we can help you repair your basement walls with carbon fiber.

Are your basement walls cracked, buckling, bowed, or rotting? If so, it might be time to hire a team of highly trained basement wall rebuild experts to repair the damage and protect your home against serious structural damage. Here at Premier Wall Anchor and Waterproofing, we specialize in high-quality basement wall repairs and restorations throughout Stow and the surrounding areas.

We’re accredited with the Better Business Bureau and proud to maintain an A+ rating. We offer a full range of foundation repair services, including basement wall stabilization, waterproofing, and complete wall replacement. 

Signs You Might Need A Basement Wall Rebuild

If you’re like most homeowners, the thought of tackling a major home repair project that involves your foundation might feel overwhelming. After all, you likely never think about what’s holding up your walls, floors, and ceilings until there’s a noticeable problem. 

Here are some of the most common signs that you might need a partial or full basement wall rebuild: 

• Water accumulates in your basement following heavy rainfall or melting snow
• There are visible cracks in your foundation wall
• Your basement windows and doors no longer open or close correctly
• There’s a noticeable damp smell in your basement
• Your basement floor has developed uneven spots, such as indentations
• You can see that one or more walls in your basement are bowing inwards
• Pieces of concrete are crumbling off the walls
• The exterior cladding is cracking
• You’ve had an influx of unwanted guests come into your basement, such as mice, rats, insects, or snakes

While the appearance of any of these signs doesn’t automatically mean you need to have your basement walls rebuilt, these signs do indicate that repairs are needed. The only way to accurately diagnose what’s happening with your home’s foundation is to get an expert opinion from a foundation repair specialist. 

What’s Involved with Rebuilding A Basement Wall? 

While each project is unique, rebuilding a basement wall is a major home repair job that requires specialized equipment, skilled labor, and extensive knowledge of building codes and construction practices. 

In some extreme cases, the entire home will need to be secured and jacked up onto cribbing using temporary supports. This is commonly known as the ‘lift and replace’ method, and while it can be costly, it’s often the best way to protect the structure of the home and guard against future foundation issues. The advantage of this method is that it gives homeowners the chance to raise the height of their basement ceilings, which can increase the functionality and resale value of the home. 

Bowing basement walls can often be rebuilt in place using engineered solutions, such as the Premier Wall Anchor System. This system can be used in combination with a variety of rebuilding techniques to permanently stabilize basement walls in a way that doesn’t require any ongoing maintenance. Better yet, our wall anchors can be installed year-round, and that can make all the difference when it comes to preventing further damage. 

Contact Our Stow, Ohio, Basement Wall Repair And Restoration Experts Today

Don’t wait until your damaged basement walls cause serious structural problems in your home — contact our team of friendly experts here at Premium Wall Anchor and Waterproofing today. Remember, we’re fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and our basement wall rebuild services are eligible for our Lifetime Transferable Warranty. 

Whether you’ve just bought a new home or are refinishing one you’ve owned for a long time, it can be worrisome to discover cracks in your basement floor or walls. Fortunately, basement finishing cracks are a common problem and usually pretty harmless. Our experienced professionals at Premier Wall Anchor and Waterproofing can evaluate and repair any cracks you find.

Common Causes of Basement Finishing Cracks In Northeast Ohio

Most cracks discovered during the basement finishing process are hairline cracks that measure less than 1/16 of an inch. These are usually caused by normal settling during the concrete setting process. As concrete dries, it naturally contracts, which can lead to small, visible cracks in the walls and floor.

Larger basement finishing cracks can be caused by a variety of factors, including pressure from the earth outside that causes the walls to subtly shift. Improper construction practices, such as neglecting to properly anchor the walls, can also cause cracks. If you notice your basement walls bowing or leaning in, this is a likely cause. Basement floors can even crack and heave if the soil underneath the foundation has shifted too much.

What To Do If You Find Cracks In Your Basement

The good news is that the majority of basement finishing cracks need little or no care. Hairline fractures are usually harmless, although sometimes moisture may seep in during one of our wet Ohio summers. If that happens, you can generally fix it by simply injecting sealant into the crack. Even if you haven’t noticed excess moisture, it’s a good idea to seal the cracks to help reduce the risk of radon exposure, which can be a problem in Stow and northeast Ohio.

If you notice cracks that are wider than about half an inch, an assessment is needed by a professional. You should also have your basement evaluated if you see wall cracks accompanied by the walls bowing in, or if the walls seem to be leaning inwards. For basement floor cracks, some settling is expected with newer builds, so a slight depression may not be a big concern. However, if you notice your floor heaving upwards, contact a professional at Premier Wall Anchor and Waterproofing for help. Bowing walls or heaving floors can be signs of structural issues that may need urgent attention to prevent more significant problems.

How To Prevent Basement Finishing Cracks

There are some things homeowners can do to ensure that basement finishing cracks don’t become a problem. Most major foundation issues are caused by excess moisture, so make sure your exterior has proper drainage. Ensure your yard is properly graded so that it slopes away from your home and avoid landscaping that requires you to build up soil around your basement walls.

Design your gutters and downspouts so they point away from your house and in a direction that ensures the water flows away from the building. Keep them clean, too, as overflowing gutters can flood the area directly beneath them. It’s also a good idea to install a sump pump and interior drainage system, particularly if you live in or near a flood zone.

Set Up An Evaluation Today

If you’re worried about basement finishing cracks in Stow or anywhere else in northeast Ohio, contact Premier Wall Anchor and Waterproofing today. Our skilled, professional experts can evaluate existing cracks and fix any that need attention. We can also help you determine risk factors for future problems and develop a plan to prevent them. Give us a call today at (800) 573-7170 to schedule an appointment, or visit our contact page for more information.

Bowed basement walls bend or slant inwards and are often the result of pressure exceeding the weight capacity of the wall. It’s also an obvious sign of a serious foundation issue that needs immediate repair. Bowing is typically a slow process that might not be noticeable initially, but bowing often causes cracks, which are more easily spotted. Cracks can allow water into your home, which will only make the problem worse. If left unchecked, bowed basement walls will eventually crumble and collapse, threatening the structural integrity of your entire home.

Foundation Issues

Excessive pressure from your home’s foundation is the most common culprit behind bowed basement walls. Foundation issues typically progress slowly, so it’s difficult to see any bowing until the damage becomes readily apparent, but bowing can also occur suddenly. One common cause of foundation pressure is a buildup of water against the foundation that pushes on the walls and bows them inward. Water buildup is often due to a substandard drainage system that doesn’t pull enough water away from the home’s foundation.

Another common cause of foundation pressure on walls is seasonal changes. Repetitive freeze and thaw cycles cause the soil around your home to expand and contract, which adds pressure to basement walls. Because the effect gets worse over time, it’s not unusual to see bowed basement walls in older homes. However, poor construction can cause bowing to occur in a shorter amount time. Improper backfilling of soil, not installing rebar, inadequate drainage systems, and not properly tying the walls into the floor or roof structure can all exacerbate the situation.

Other Causes Of Bowed Basement Walls

Foundation issues are a major contributing factor to bowed basement walls, but there are numerous external forces that can also cause basement walls to bow due to excessive stress. Hydrostatic pressure caused by an oversaturation of water around your foundation is a common cause, but other causes include:

• Sloping lawns that pile tons of heavy soil onto your foundation
• Brick or concrete patios and driveways placed near your basement walls
• Excessive rain that saturates the soil around basement walls
• Rainwater runoff from clogged gutters that saturates soil around basement walls with water
• Clay-rich soil that exponentially expands when saturated with water
• Leaky plumbing pipes that saturate the soil around your foundation with water
• Roots from trees planted too close to your home pressing against basement walls

If you suspect you have one of these issues or another problem causing your basement walls to bow or start to buckle, it’s critical you have a foundation repair expert shore up your walls before they collapse. Your basement walls are what support your home; without their strength, your entire home is at risk.

Stabilize Your Walls With Premier Anchor And Waterproofing

Bowed basement walls are a serious threat to your home and family and require immediate action. The foundation experts at Premier Anchor and Waterproofing in Stow, Ohio, can combat bowed basement walls and help secure your foundation through reinforcement with wall anchors. Our Premier Wall Anchor System permanently stabilizes bowed walls by pulling the walls back into place. Our wall anchors are fabricated from heavy-duty galvanized material to offer long-lasting results that are backed by a Lifetime Transferable Warranty.

Schedule An Evaluation

Premier Wall Anchor and Waterproofing has been in the foundation repair business for over 13 years and offers a myriad of structural repair services. Our fully licensed, bonded, and insured technicians are fully equipped to address a wide range of bowing, leaning, or cracked wall issues for homeowners throughout Northeast Ohio. We specialize in effectively and efficiently installing wall anchors to correct foundation wall problems without the cost and disruption of total foundation replacement. Contact us at 800-573-7170 to schedule an evaluation and service to ensure the continued health of your home.