Bowing Cinder Block | Atlanta, GA | StablWall

Are Your Walls Bowing? | Philadelphia, PA

Posted by StablWall Structural Strengthening System on

Do you have a bowing cinder block foundation wall? You may be wondering whether you should have the wall replaced or repaired.

Without a doubt, the foundation is the most important part of the home. It is vital to the overall value of the home. A home with considerable damage to its foundation will be difficult to sell even if it is in the best location. A poor foundation makes the home a hazard to live in.

Foundation issues vary in their severity. There are some with slight bowing that can be repaired when caught in time. There are those in which the bowing is so severe that the entire foundation will require replacement.

Philadelphia, PA | Bowed Walls | StablWall

Replacing a bowing cinder block foundation isn’t cheap. It’s therefore always a good idea to seek foundation repair as soon as you notice a problem with your foundation. Catching the problem in its early stages of development will help you avoid costly repairs down the road.

However, there are times when we miss the early signs of foundation damage and only notice when it’s too late. If you have a cinder block foundation, you’ll have to replace it if:

  • The mortar in between the blocks is eroding. Check to see if the mortar has become flaky or chalky. The wall should be replaced if the mortar is chipping away from the joints.
  • In some cases, the mortar may have weakened but is not flaking off the joints on its own. In these instances, you may find that pieces of the mortar fall away when you pull at them. This is also a sign that the wall needs to be replaced.
  • The blocks in the wall have been displaced to the point that the blocks in the bowing cinder block wall are no longer flush. You may notice a few blocks sticking out or some pushing inward.
  • The wall is bowing or tipping to the point that it cannot be straightened or strengthened by any of the available foundation repair systems including anchors and braces.
  • You notice spaces in the foundation wall that you can see through. There are some cases where you can even see the exterior of the home through these spaces.
  • Pieces of the blocks in the wall have begun to fall away.
  • There are large separation cracks resulting from the twisting of the block.

Many of these issues build up over time. Keep a close eye on your foundation to avoid having to replace your walls. Contact the professionals at StablWall today ! 866.782.5955

Bowed Basement Walls | Philadelphia, PA | StablWall

Selling a Home with Bowing Basement Walls Houston, TX

Posted by StablWall Structural Strengthening System on

Are you planning to sell your home? Many homeowners have their properties appraised to determine their market value. It can be very disappointing to discover that an issue such as the bowing basement walls is keeping you from getting the best value for your home.

How do I know I have bowing basement walls?

The easiest way to find out if you have a foundation issue is to take a walk around the home. Search for signs of cracking or crumbling. These are often the first signs of bowing. If you spot cracks in your foundation, you should get in touch with a foundation repair professional. They can inspect the foundation for you and determine whether the walls are indeed bowing and the cause.

Don’t take the word of just one repair contractor. Have your foundation inspected by at least 3 different contractors. Many contractors offer free inspection, so you won’t have to worry about the costs. Different opinions will enable you to make an informed decision.
Bowing Basement Walls | Houston, TX

How much does it cost to repair bowing basement walls?

The cost of foundation repair will depend on the severity of the damage. It also depends on the type of solution you choose and the contractor you hire. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of foundation repair is $4,033.

Many homeowners are discouraged by the high costs associated with foundation repair. However, putting off repairs does not help resolve the issue. The problems will in fact become worse. While you may have only had to deal with a bowing wall and minor cracks, you may have to deal with a flooded basement in addition to other issues if you put the repair off.

Talk to your contractor about the different options for repairing the walls. Seek a solution that is affordable such as the application of carbon fiber straps.

Should I repair the walls before selling the house?

This depends on your goals when selling the house. If you’re looking to sell your home as quickly as possible, you may not mind the loss in value. However, if you want to get the best price point, you will want your home in the best condition possible. This would mean investing in repairs before selling the house. This will be an investment in your home. You will get a significant profit on this investment.

Educate yourself on the repair of bowing foundation walls. Talk to a reliable contractor and seek a solution that will add value to your property.

 

Common Mistakes When Repairing Bowed Basement Walls Philadelphia, PA

Posted by StablWall Structural Strengthening System on

Foundation Repair | Philadelphia, PA

Common Mistakes When Repairing Bowed Basement Walls

There are various mistakes that are made when repairing bowed basement walls. Some of the most common mistakes include:

  1. Focusing on the visible damage

When it comes to repairing bowed basement walls, it is vital that you look beyond the walls and the visible damage. Your approach to repairing these walls should instead be comprehensive. You should not only repair the damaged walls but also look to prevent future failure of the foundation.

Foundation Repair | Philadelphia, PA

 

It is important to have the damaged walls assessed by a professional foundation repair contractor. Proper diagnosis of the cause of foundation failure will help you determine the best solution for your foundation. It will ensure that no steps are missed in the repair.

  1. Focusing on sealing the cracks

Cracks are one of the most common signs of bowing walls. However, homeowners often miss this and focus on the cracks. They turn to DIY crack injection kits to fix the cracks and prevent water seepage.

Crack injections are an important tool for foundation repair. However, they are not effective when used in isolation. If you don’t deal with the cause of the cracks and bowing, you will essentially be building a dam that will burst when full. The forces acting against the wall will continue to increase. You may experience further cracking or even complete failure of the foundation wall in the future.

  1. Failing to address weak zones

Cracks are a sign of weakness in the wall caused by bowing. However, not all cracks are easily visible. Many homeowners focus on dealing with the visible cracks and forget that there could be hairline cracks in their walls pointing to other areas of weakness.

Ignoring other weak zones in the foundation can result in further damage even after the wall has been repaired. A thorough inspection of the foundation by a foundation repair contractor will reveal other areas of weakness that need to be addressed.

  1. Attempting to repair bowed basement walls on your own

There are many jobs that you can attempt to do yourself but repairing your basement walls isn’t one of them. This job calls for a professional. Basement walls bear the weight of the entire home. Mistakes made in repairing these walls will result in structural issues throughout the home.

If you want to safeguard the structural integrity of your property, contact a professional foundation repair contractor. Seek solutions that will deal with the root cause of the bowing as well as the bowing itself for long term benefits.

Contact the professionals at StablWall today! 866.782.5955