Home foundation problems like minor leaks and small cracks are common.
Corrected while they are still “minor issues,” they rarely pose any serious problem; however, if you let them go, these small concerns can quickly turn into a need for major foundation wall repairs, especially if wall shifting starts to occur.
Foundation wall leaning is a serious problem that affects both concrete block and poured concrete foundations and must be corrected sooner rather than later.
Failing to do so can compromise the entire foundation.
Foundation Wall Bowing
Foundation wall bowing or leaning is when the foundation wall begins to crack significantly and push inward, from the outside.
This can happen to poured or block concrete foundations and indicates that a repair to strengthen the wall is necessary.
It usually begins with small cracks in the wall and water seeping in from the outside and as the problem worsens, actual inward bowing or more significant cracking can be seen.
Left unrepaired, these cracks and pushed in places will deteriorate faster to the point that the affected part of the foundation could be completely compromised.
Why Do Foundation Walls Lean or Bow?
Foundation wall leaning or bowing happens when the soil pressure against the outside of the foundation is greater than what it can support.
It occurs due to the natural shifting of the soil and is more prevalent in some soils than in others.
Foundations that are weakened in any way or simply not robust enough to support that pressure can end up slowly failing, beginning with small cracks and leaks.
What Can Be Done About Foundation Walls Bowing?
The most important factor with this type of foundation problem is to have it diagnosed right away as soon as little cracks and leaks are detected.
If bowing is detected, the walls can be supported using braces that will prevent further movement.
In severe cases, or if the problem is not detected early enough, a major repair that involves excavating the soil away on the outside to relieve the pressure and then repairing the wall must be done.
Pay Attention to Foundation Wall Issues!
Since the latter is a much more expensive and time-consuming repair, the recommendation is that homeowners noticing fine cracks and seeping on their foundation walls get in touch with a foundation repair service right away.
The sooner that foundation problems like this are diagnosed, the faster an easy repair can be made.