Cracked or Buckled Basement Walls? We Can Help!

Cracked or buckled basement walls are a sign that you need to call a foundation repair expert. Even if you haven’t noticed cracking or movement of basement walls, moisture, leaks, and water accumulation are all symptoms of foundation structure issues and could lead to even bigger problems down the road.

At Zablocki Waterproofing, we have seen it all and have decades of experience serving the greater Milwaukee community with expert basement wall repair, basement waterproofing, and foundation repair services.

Causes of foundation cracks and/or buckling basement walls

There are a number of reasons why your basement walls may crack or buckle. The most common cause is hydrostatic pressure, or when groundwater on the outside of your home’s foundation exerts sufficient pressure to cause movement and breakage. Though a home’s foundation is built to be as strong as possible, enough hydrostatic pressure can exceed its capacity.

Another cause of cracks or buckling basement walls has to do with our Wisconsin weather conditions. Excessive rain and thawing snow can increase the hydrostatic pressure on the outside of your home’s foundation, and changes in weather can cause groundwater to freeze, exacerbating any existing cracks in the walls and creating an expanded pathway for moisture to enter your basement.

While any home can experience these problems, older homes are most susceptible to cracked or buckled basement walls. Consider the possibility that you will probably need to call in a foundation repair expert at some point if you are thinking of buying an older home.

How we repair cracked and buckled foundation walls

If you have noticed your basement walls are cracked, buckled, or bowing, it is crucial that you call in a basement repair expert as soon as possible. Don’t worry, though, a complete foundation replacement is often not the best solution to this common issue.

Here at Zablocki Waterproofing, we are committed to not overselling services, rather prescribing the most appropriate solution to your specific foundation issue.

One of our most common solutions to cracked or buckled basement walls is steel beam reinforcement, and it is just what it sounds like: using steel beams to reinforce the strength of your basement walls. Typically, it is best to access and reinforce the walls from both the interior and exterior of the foundation. To access the exterior of your foundation walls, we would need to perform excavation or removing the soil around the exterior of your home’s foundation. This is a big job, but a necessary step to ensure the best possible repair.

What happens if I ignore cracks in my basement walls?

Cracked or buckled basement walls are not an issue you want to sit on. Chances are, if you have only recently noticed cracks or buckling, these are symptoms of an issue that has been present for a long time.

When foundation walls are compromised, they allow water into your basement. The longer you wait to repair your foundation, the more moisture that will enter your basement, causing potentially serious problems, including flooding, damage to valuables, carpeting, drywall, and wood, hazardous mold and mildew buildup, and unpleasant odor. If this is a home that you’d like to eventually sell, basement moisture issues can significantly decrease the value of your home. Previous flooding can also make it difficult for you to qualify for flood insurance in the future.

Leaks or puddles of water are not the only indicators that you have a basement moisture issue. Be aware of mildew odor, condensation, stains on the walls, signs of rot, and heightened humidity.

If you find a crack, you may be tempted to try a DIY solution, like purchasing a sealant from your local home store. However, this is only a temporary solution; if water pressure can break through concrete, it can break through a sealant. Save yourself some time and heartache and call in an expert like Zablocki Waterproofing instead.