Bowed or Leaning Walls

It is more common than you might think for a concrete block or poured foundation wall to bow inward. The situation can develop slowly over many years from the force of water-saturated soil pushing against the foundation, or it can happen before the house is finished when an earthmoving machine pushes soil against a freshly built foundation wall.

In either case, a long curve forms in the wall, usually with one or more long horizontal cracks through the mortar joints that bond one row of concrete block to the next. Vertical cracks may also appear. Both types of cracks can allow groundwater to seep into the basement. And that seepage may cause the cracks to widen and become worse over time.

Bowed or leaning foundation walls can cause serious structural damage if not corrected. This problem occurs when hydrostatic pressure from excessive water, or the soil surrounding the structure swells and exert pressure forcing the foundation wall inward.

The can be corrected using wall anchors which are machine drilled past the active zone of moving earth at a downward angle. The structure can be stablized or restored back to it's original position. 

Drainage and landscaping should be addressed to move the water away from the structure.  Many contractors will offer a complete digout with new drain tile and rock replacing the old clay for backfill.

Contact a contractor in your area for a complete estimate to resolve your bowed wall issue.