Bowing Basement Wall Repair in Iowa

The foundation is easily one of the most important structural components of a building, and when a problem arises it is immediately apparent. There are many indicators that a foundation is in need of repair, such as horizontal or stair-step cracking along the foundation walls, inward bowing or bulging along the walls, or even diagonal cracking at the corners of poured concrete foundation walls. If you’re experiencing cracked foundation walls or foundation settlement in Iowa, we have the skills to help fix the problem.

Bowing walls in Iowa can be caused by four different factors. The first two are the type of soil around the foundation and the amount of moisture in the soil. Bowing basement walls are typically caused by either expansive soils or the buildup of hydrostatic pressure around the foundation. Another important aspect is how far underground the foundation rests, and finally the temperature conditions can also dictate whether a foundation will suffer damages.

When the outside pressure becomes too great, you’ll see cracked foundation walls in your Iowa basement. Cosmetic fixes like tuckpointing the cracks or painting over damaged drywall won’t actually improve your home’s condition. Temporary fixes are not enough to mitigate the structural weakness that a damaged foundation suffers from, and without proper repairs the value of your home is negatively impacted. Fixing this issue right away is crucial for improving the value and structural integrity from your home! If your Iowa basement needs its bowing walls fixed, you’ll need to get fast, professional assistance.

At Midwest Basement Systems, we offer a number of solutions to help our local Iowa homeowners and businesses deal with foundation settlement and bowing or cracked foundation walls. In order to fix and repair a cracked foundation or bowing/buckling foundation walls, your home’s current situation must be taken into account in addition to the soil quality and local conditions.

One such solution for our Iowa residents suffering from foundation settlement is called foundation piering. These systems can stabilize and potentially lift a foundation that is resting on soil that cannot support the weight of the home. Push piers reach deep below the foundation to access bedrock or competent enough strata to hold the home up. Another option is helical piers, which can be used with enough local knowledge of soil conditions. These piers dig into the soil under the foundation using a helical blade. Foundation piering can be an effective resolution for Iowa residents.

An excellent way to fix bowing foundation walls is through wall anchor systems, which take advantage of the soils beyond the foundation to exert counter pressure on the weakened walls. Midwest Basement Systems recommends the Geo-Lock™ Foundation Wall Anchor System to permanently stabilize a bowing or buckling foundation wall.

When the surrounding soils are not available for access, you’ll need an alternative way to fix and repair bowed basement walls in Iowa. Midwest Basement Systems also has access to the patented PowerBrace™ Foundation Wall Repair system, which uses steel I-beams to stabilize the wall in its current position. The PowerBrace™ System can be tightened over time to make bowing or tilting walls straighter and more vertical.

Since 1995, Midwest Basement Systems has offered free estimates to residents and businesses to help them choose which foundation support product will best fill their need. We have a wealth of experience and can help you fix a bowing wall in Iowa.