Bowing & Buckling Foundation Walls In Northern VA

Identifying & repairing issues related to foundation wall failure

If your foundation walls are bowing, buckling or are showing signs of inward movement, repair work is a necessity. These symptoms are a sign of weakening walls and potentially serious damage.

If you've noticed these problems in your home, 3 Pros Basement Systems can provide you with a permanent solution. We handle all types of foundation repair problems in Sterling, Arlington, Falls Church and the nearby areas, and we can solve your problem. Call us today to get a free estimate!

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Signs of bowing foundation walls

Foundation walls move inward primarily due to expansive soils and hydrostatic pressure on the walls from outside. However, foundation walls may also crack due to many other outside causes, including foundation settlement. Our foundation experts will accurately identify the cause of your home's foundation problems.

Horizontal or stair-step cracking along the foundation walls
Diagonal cracking at corners of poured concrete foundation walls
Inward bowing or bulging along the walls
Walls sliding inwards on the bottom

Walls leaning in at the top
Wet, clay soils around the home coupled with damaged walls
Expansive clay soils present around the structure

Below are images of several foundations that are showing damage from hydrostatic pressure and expansive soils outside the structure.

(Click each photo to enlarge.)

What causes cracked & bowing foundation walls?

These two clay samples started out exactly the same in size, weight, and composition. The sample on the right was allowed to dry out, while the one on the left we kept moist.

If a small sample of clay can gain this much volume when it gets wet, just imagine how dramatic the changes are in the soil around your home!

The soils around your home can put enormous pressure on foundation walls. The amount of pressure they exert depends on four factors:

The type of soil around the foundation
The amount of moisture in the soil
How far underground the foundation is
The temperature conditions

There's constant pressure on your foundation walls from the outside, but the only thing holding up your foundation wall is the wall itself. Hydrostatic pressure, expansive clay soil, and frost can all exert enough pressure to cause walls to lean or even collapse.

Gutters and downspouts can also contribute significantly to foundation wall problems by allowing large volumes of water to collect in the soil around your structure.

If roof runoff is not directed away from your foundation, the soil around the foundation will become heavier and more expansive as it's saturated with water.

Looking for foundation wall repair experts in Virginia?

At 3 Pros Basement Systems, we're proud to provide a solution that will permanently solve issues with bowing, buckling foundation walls. We provide free, no-obligation foundation wall repair estimates to homeowners throughout our Virginia service area. Each estimate is made in person, on-site, and is presented in writing.

Our service area includes Sterling, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Springfield, Ashburn, Stafford, Woodbridge, Centreville and throughout the surrounding areas. Call or e-mail us today!