How to Fix Leaning Foundation Walls
Leaning foundation walls often go unnoticed until it’s too late and the walls are already falling in.
It can be a little scary as a homeowner, but luckily, there is a way to fix it.
In this guide, we’ll explain why foundation walls tilt, how to spot them in your home, and what steps you can take to fix the problem for good. Read on to learn more and protect your home from potential damage.
What causes foundation walls to tilt?
Water, soil, and weather conditions all play a role in the pressure against foundation walls.
Hydrostatic pressure: When clay soils become saturated with water, they exert hydrostatic pressure against foundation walls. This pressure increases with the amount of water in the soil, eventually causing tilting if not managed.
Expansive clay soils: Clay soil is kind of like a sponge - it swells up when wet and shrinks when it dries out, putting pressure on foundation walls. This cycle repeats each time it rains and snows. Wet soil is pushed on the walls creating gaps when soil dries out again. Over time, walls struggle to bear the weight of the home, leading to tilting walls and structural issues.
Frost: Freezing temperatures expand water in the soil as it freezes, putting additional stress on foundation walls. Cold weather conditions can speed up foundation problems and lead to more serious issues if left unaddressed.
Poor drainage: Heavy rains can cause water to build up or pool in certain areas around your home. Having an inadequate drainage system keeps this water from being moved away from your home, leading to built-up soil pressure pushing against basement walls.
Signs of wall tilting
Cracks: Poured concrete walls are most likely to tilt. When pressure builds up, diagonal cracks pop up. These walls usually start to pull away from the ceiling first. As they lean inward, diagonal cracks really highlight the tilt.
Buckling and bowing: If a foundation wall is constructed using concrete blocks, cracks can lead to bowing and buckling if unaddressed. What starts as a crack in the center of a wall will begin to resemble the wall caving in on itself.
Cracks and bowing in your foundation walls are clear signs they're tilting.
Both of these signs ultimately lead to wall failure. As pressure builds up over time, tilting walls can eventually result in a collapsing foundation. At this point, it can be very difficult and expensive to repair foundational damage.
Can you straighten tilting walls yourself?
We strongly recommend leaving this problem to the professionals. We aren’t doubting your DIY – bet you can fix just about anything around the house. But foundation repair? It’s a whole different ballgame. It’s complex and there’s a lot at stake. One wrong move could cause serious damage to your home. can be complicated and risky.
Plus, insurance might not cover DIY mishaps, and home inspectors aren’t fans of quick fixes – they can seriously impact your home’s resale value. So, kick back, relax, and let the experts handle it. At Thrasher, our team is committed to making sure you and your home are in good hands. We’ll make sure both you and your home are protected.
How to fix a leaning wall
At Thrasher, we offer multiple solutions to correct tilting foundation walls and restore the stability of your home.
GeoLock: This system of galvanized steel wall anchors can prevent further tilting and be tightened to bring walls back to their original position.
- First the area is prepared for installation. Soil is excavated surrounding the home and holes are drilled into foundation walls.
- An anchor is positioned in the soil and connected to the wall through an anchor rod.
- Steel wall plates are mounted to anchor rods. These rods can then be tightened regularly to straighten walls gradually.
- Finally, the area is cleaned, excavated soil is filled and compacted, and wall plates can even be covered to fit seamlessly with your finished basement!
PowerBrace: This system of I-beams doesn't require excavating and can be installed from inside the home. They are made of galvanized steel to stay free from rusting and can permanently stabilize your home from future tilting.
- Wall braces are cut to be customized to fit your basement.
- Joists are secured to the frame of the home using specially designed brackets.
- Braces are attached to the frame of the home through the brackets. This system can also be regularly tightened to restore the original position of walls.
EverBrace: We offer a less expensive and intrusive solution to severely compromised foundation walls rather than replacing the entire foundation. This system can permanently stabilize your deteriorating foundation and restore your peace of mind.
- Steel I-beams and panels are customized to fit basement walls and fit around basement features, such as waterproofing systems and windows.
- A Clean Space water barrier is installed to prevent further deterioration, water damage, and mold growth.
- Beams and panels are bolted into place and secured to the frame of the home.
- Polyurethane foam is injected to fill voids between the original wall and the EverBrace system.
- The installation area is cleaned, and drywall can be installed to hide the EverBrace system and finish the basement.
We're here to help!
If you notice leaning foundation walls, we recommend calling a trusted foundation repair contractor. If you're in our service area, we're here to lend a hand!
Our team of experts offers free at-home estimates. We’ll inspect your foundation, explain the issues, and recommend solutions. You’ll receive a detailed solution plan and a no-obligation quote during our visit. Contact us today to start tackling the tilting walls affecting your home!
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