Cracked foundation walls or buckling basement walls?
We’re here to help
Sometimes the damage to your basement walls is obvious: you can see cracks in the walls or the walls are bowing outward. Other times you may notice that there is water coming into your basement but you aren’t sure where the problem area is exactly. Either way, you’ve got a problem that is only going to get worse unless it is professionally fixed.
With over 20 years serving Indianapolis and central Indiana, we’ve seen just about everything, and we are here to help. Our experts can assess and correct your problematic foundation.
What causes cracked foundation walls and buckling/bowing foundation walls?
While there are many causes for cracks in your foundation walls, one of the most common is hydrostatic pressure, or water pressure, that has exceeded the limit the wall can take. Sometimes this is due to excess pressure over time, or sometimes it is due to an event, such as a heavy rain, that causes that pressure to increase greatly. This can lead to cracks in the wall or even cause the walls to shift and buckle under the pressure.
Indiana’s freeze-thaw cycle is another reason you may have cracks in your basement walls. As water freezes, such as water in the soil, it expands, which can create cracks, or cause existing cracks to grow. These cracks then allow moisture a pathway to enter the home.
As your home ages, the chances of your foundation experiencing cracks increases, due to years of stress on the walls.
How do you repair cracked or buckling foundation walls?
The first step is to call a reputable contractor who specializes in basement repair, such as AccuPros Basement Waterproofing of Indianapolis. Although occasionally a foundation replacement is needed, there are often better solutions to your problem.
The most common solution is through the installation of steel beam reinforcements. Typically, steel beams are installed both on the interior and exterior of the foundation walls in order to straighten and strengthen the basement walls. In order to access the exterior of the foundation walls, the dirt around the foundation is excavated, which is an extensive process, but can be done safely by professionals, and then the beams added.
What happens if I do not fix the cracks in the basement walls?
One thing is for sure: the wall will not fix itself. If you can physically see cracks in your foundation walls, or can visibly see that it is buckling, chances are there has been a problem for quite some time, and you’re now seeing the manifestation of that.
Without repairing the cause of the problem, even if you seal the cracks with a DIY solution, it will persist, leading to worsening foundation problems. When foundation walls are compromised, they will let in moisture which can lead to some serious long term problems. Mold, rot, flooding and loss of property are just a few of the issues you can face if your basement foundation is not properly reinforced and waterproofing. Even if you have not had standing water or puddles in your basement, excess moisture can be an indicator that you’re sitting experiencing foundation problems. The longer you wait, the larger the problem becomes and the more costly to fix.
By catching moisture issues in your basement early on, you can prevent flooding, which may increase your insurance premiums and can hurt the resale value of your home, not to mention any damage that may be done to your property if it floods. The only way to ensure your home is properly protected is by hiring the best to diagnose and correct your home’s foundation problem.
