Have you noticed any stair-step cracking, diagonal cracking, or bowing in your foundation walls?

Have you noticed any stair-step cracking, diagonal cracking, or bowing in your foundation walls?  

All of these are signs of wall failure which, if left alone, can become a serious hazard. Some people may be thinking “My walls have always been fine. Why are they suddenly failing?”

Many times, the damage has to do with the change in the soil. Hydrostatic pressure created by groundwater and gravity pushes into your basement walls. When the force becomes too much, the walls start to shift. Another common change in the soil that can cause wall failure is frost. When groundwater freezes, it expands and pushes toward empty spaces like your basement. This is especially problematic in unheated basements. When there is no heat to prevent the ice from expanding into your home, the walls move to lessen any force. A third soil change that can cause wall movement is due to the type of soil surrounding your home. Clay soil can both expand and contract, causing unsteadiness. When water is added, the clay soil expands, and when the clay is drier, it contracts and cracks. Depending on whether the clay soil is expanding or contracting, the wall may shift inward or outward. For any of these three reasons, the result can be total wall failure.

What do you do to prevent wall failure? One option DBS could implement would be the use of our patented PowerBrace ™. This system allows both wall stabilization of current state and overall stability. The tightening aspect of the system allows the wall to be brought back to its original position over time. The Power Braces are coated with a zinc, which is resistant to any corrosion making the lifetime lengthy. The clean look of the PowerBrace™ is also a great benefit. Many solutions for this type of problem can bring an eyesore to the basement. Having the system installed professionally is also highly important. Because the braces are taking on a great amount of force, the stored pressure must be released properly. In order to not damage the floor, the system uses joint reinforcements to distribute the pressure. This system is a great quality solution for preventing any future wall failure.

A strong example of implementing our PowerBrace™ system was completed in a home located in Glidden, Wisconsin. Here, the homeowner was concerned about some cracking in the foundation wall. To prevent the problem from getting even worse, the homeowner decided to do some research to find a quality solution. After reaching out to DBS and scheduling a free no obligation estimate visit, System Design Specialist Rich Johnson was able to find and explain a quality solution to fix this homeowners problem. The installation of Power Braces was the recommended solution for the homeowner to help prevent any further wall damage and possible total wall failure.

Do you have any signs of complete wall failure to come? Don’t hesitate, call and set a date to have a specialist come check it out.