Bowing Basement Wall Repair in Michigan

If you’ve noticed that your basement walls are buckling, bowing, or leaning, it might be time for bowing wall repair. Water-saturated soil outside your foundation and poor drainage can lead to hydrostatic pressure building up and pushing against your foundation. This can cause the walls to shift, bow, and crack. Eventually, it can cause structural instability throughout your home and require you to replace entire walls.

Bluebird CFW offers reliable basement wall repair services in Michigan. No matter what wall issue you are noticing—bowing walls or concrete cracks—we offer permanent solutions. Our solutions include the installation of wall braces, carbon fiber straps, and perimeter drains, which don’t just address water and cracks but combat or even reduce hydrostatic pressure.

At Bluebird CFW Foundation Repair & Waterproofing, we have been helping homeowners and commercial property owners repair bowing basement walls for over 20 years. Our team’s experience allows us to provide effective and efficient service. Contact us today for a free inspection and no-obligation quote.

What Causes Bowing Basement Walls?

Michigan has expansive soil that expands when it’s wet and contracts when it’s dry. This movement puts a great deal of stress on your basement walls and causes cracks to form. Other factors that cause walls to crack, leak, and bow include unstable soil and foundation settling.

Bowing basement walls are caused by lateral pressure from the soil or tree roots around your foundation. Often, this is caused by hydrostatic pressure due to a high water table. If water builds up around your basement and is not diverted by an efficient drainage system, it can cause the soil around your basement to shift and expand. The expansion of the soil will push against the basement, causing the walls to bow inward.

Another common cause of bowing walls is freeze-thaw cycles. When the soil around your basement freezes in cold weather, the volume of the soil increases and pushes against your foundation walls. As the soil thaws, it shifts and shrinks. This cycle can exert pressure on the foundation walls, leading them to crack or bow. Bowing walls are very common in areas with clay soil.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Water that collects around your basement and foundation exerts pressure on the walls when it accumulates in the soil. Water content in the soil increases, especially during heavy rainfall or snow melts. That’s when hydrostatic pressure comes into play and pushes against the walls, causing wall cracks or bowing.

Differential Settlement

The different parts of your home’s foundation may settle unevenly due to variations in soil composition or moisture content below the foundation. This causes differential settlement, which causes the walls to crack and gaps around windows and doors.

Frost-heave

The soil in Michigan moves during the winter, which can impact your foundation. During the colder weather, ice forms in the soil, which causes upward or outward movement, commonly known as frost heave. This force is strong enough to put pressure on or shift basement walls, leading to structural damage.

Poor Drainage

Not all issues are caused by environmental factors. Some are the byproduct of a lack of maintenance. If you do not have a proper water diversion system that evacuates the water away from the foundation, water may penetrate the basement walls, causing dampness, mold, and structural damage. One of the easiest ways to prevent foundation damage is to install gutters and ensure that the discharge is directed away from the foundation.

How Does Bowing Basement Wall Repair Work?

We take a comprehensive approach to repairing your bowing basement walls making sure that we implement appropriate solutions to provide long-term stability. Here is how our process works:

Waler Wall Braces 

For bowed wall repair in Michigan, we use steel wall braces to provide immediate support and counteract the pressure causing them to bow. Sometimes, we can also excavate around the foundation and push the wall back. This solution also gives customers the option to gradually straighten the wall over the years. In this system, vertical walers are attached to floor and joist brackets, providing comprehensive support and stability for your basement walls. Braces are installed between joists to provide additional stability.

Waler wall braces are a minimally invasive solution that provides total stability for your basement. By preventing further inward movement, this solution prevents additional bowing. This solution protects your home from structural instability without requiring you to replace entire basement walls. Bluebird CFW provides a 25-year warranty on waler wall braces.

Carbon Fiber Straps

Carbon fiber straps are one of the most reliable methods for stabilizing bowing walls. The straps are installed on the interior walls, making this dependable solution less intrusive and less expensive than other traditional methods. Made from highly durable material, they prevent further inward movement of the wall.

Carbon fiber straps are lightweight and easy to install. They can be nearly invisible when painted. They are non-corrosive, which eliminates the need for constant maintenance.

Basement Perimeter Drains

Our basement perimeter drains are a waterproofing system that keeps water out of your basement. They’re installed around the outside or inside of your foundation to collect water and direct it away from your home. This helps prevent water damage, mold, and foundation problems. These drains are especially useful in areas with a lot of rain or a high water table, making sure your basement stays dry and protected.

Signs You Need Bowing Wall Repair 

Not sure when to call a professional? Here are some signs that you need bowing wall repair:

Visible Cracks

Stair-step cracks typically occur in brick, block, and masonry foundation walls and are a classic sign of foundation problems. These cracks are a sign of significant structural movement, such as bowing, buckling, or sheering. It may be normal for basement walls to have cracks due to house settling and minor foundation shifts. But if you notice cracks with water intrusion, stair-step cracks, or horizontal cracks, it’s time to call for our professional help!

Bulging, Bowing, or Leaning Walls

Walls that are bulging or bowing indicate a significant structural problem. If not addressed quickly, walls will continue to bulge and lean and may ultimately collapse. Walls that curve inward due to soil pressure are never a good sign. This is an indication of a serious foundation issue and can be caused by soil pushing on the foundation, leaking gutters, or tree roots pushing on the foundation. Assess your interior and exterior walls and look for large bulges or leaning sections. If you notice any signs of bowing, call for immediate help before the wall fails!

Musty Smell

If the basement walls are leaking, water will start to seep in during rainfall. A damp basement creates a perfect environment for mold to thrive, leading to a musty smell in the basement. If you smell musty or foul odors in your basement, schedule an inspection with a waterproofing company.

Sticking Windows and Doors

As your house settles and the foundation shifts, window and door frames start to warp and stick. If you notice windows or doors that won’t open or close properly, call for professional help!

Mold Growth

Check for mold around windows and exterior doors. If mold has started to be visible on walls or floors, it means the walls are letting water and damp air in. Before mold pollutes the indoor air environment, causing respiratory issues, it’s best to call a professional for an inspection.

Leaks or Dampness

If there is water inside the basement or persistent damp spots on your walls, it means that water is starting to seep in through cracks in the walls or windows. Water may also be entering along the seam where the foundation walls and floor meet, as this area tends to be weaker and prone to water seepage. Sometimes, dampness occurs in cinder blocks since they are porous and cause water. If water is coming up through the floors, it may be caused by hydrostatic pressure. Check for cracks or any gaps around the windows, as well as damp walls or floors, to see where water might be entering.

If you notice any of these signs, call Bluebird CFW for bowing wall repairs.

Importance of Basement Wall Repair & Maintenance

Basement wall repair and maintenance help to maintain your home’s safety, stability, and value. Basement walls are a key component of your foundation; if the walls fail, you may have to deal with expensive repairs or even replace entire walls. It’s crucial to maintain your basement walls and fix them regularly.

Some of the other benefits of repairing bowing basement walls include:

• Long-term stabilization for your basement walls
• Maintaining and enhancing the property’s value
• Avoiding costly and extensive repairs

Why Choose Bluebird CFW for Bowing Wall Repair 

Bluebird CFW offers a superior level of service that protects your home for the long term. As Michigan’s #1 foundation repair company, we deliver high-quality and on-time repairs. With over 20 years of experience, we’ve inspected countless homes and provided effective solutions, no matter the issue.
Bluebird CFW’s foundation repair experts in Michigan offer a superior level of service that protects your home for the long term.

• Licensed and Insured: We are a licensed and insured company and have a strategic industry partnership with the Home Builders Association of Michigan. All of the repair methods that we use are updated, industry-standard, and effective.
• Experienced Professionals: All of our professionals are highly qualified and experienced. Our team is well-equipped to handle any basement wall issues and to provide solutions that effectively address the issues.
• Customer Satisfaction Guarantee: We always strive for customer satisfaction and meet our clients’ expectations. Our client’s confidence in our quality of work is reflected in our high ratings and positive reviews.
• Free Inspection: We offer a free, no-obligation inspection for every job. We will investigate the underlying problems and recommend the best solutions.
• Industry Standard Techniques and Materials: Our experts use industry-standard techniques and materials to provide your home with the best level of care and safe repair solutions.
• Financing Options & Low-Interest Payments: Bluebird CFW offers financing options and low-interest payment solutions. Get in touch with us to learn more.
• Limited Transferable Warranty: Our solutions are covered by transferable warranties. Depending on the solutions we recommend, your repair will be covered by either a 25-year or lifetime warranty.

Contact Bluebird CFW for Bowing Basement Wall Repair 

Contact the experts at Bluebird CFW Foundation Repair & Waterproofing for reliable, comprehensive, and cost-effective bowing basement wall repair. Our services extend to crawlspace waterproofing and basement waterproofing in Michigan. Schedule a free inspection today.

Service Area Coverage

Bluebird CFW provides foundation repair and basement waterproofing services in the following areas: