Bowing Cinder Block

Do you have a bowing cinder block foundation wall? You may be wondering whether you should have the wall replaced or repaired.

Without a doubt, the foundation is the most important part of the home. It is vital to the overall value of the home. A home with considerable damage to its foundation will be difficult to sell even if it is in the best location. A poor foundation makes the home a hazard to live in.

Foundation issues vary in their severity. There are some with slight bowing that can be repaired when caught in time. There are those in which the bowing is so severe that the entire foundation will require replacement.

Replacing a bowing cinder block foundation isn’t cheap. It’s therefore always a good idea to seek foundation repair as soon as you notice a problem with your foundation. Catching the problem in its early stages of development will help you avoid costly repairs down the road.

However, there are times when we miss the early signs of foundation damage and only notice when it’s too late. If you have a cinder block foundation, you’ll have to replace it if:

• The mortar in between the blocks is eroding. Check to see if the mortar has become flaky or chalky. The wall should be replaced if the mortar is chipping away from the joints.
• In some cases, the mortar may have weakened but is not flaking off the joints on its own. In these instances, you may find that pieces of the mortar fall away when you pull at them. This is also a sign that the wall needs to be replaced.
• The blocks in the wall have been displaced to the point that the blocks in the bowing cinder block wall are no longer flush. You may notice a few blocks sticking out or some pushing inward.
• The wall is bowing or tipping to the point that it cannot be straightened or strengthened by any of the available foundation repair systems including anchors and braces.
• You notice spaces in the foundation wall that you can see through. There are some cases where you can even see the exterior of the home through these spaces.
• Pieces of the blocks in the wall have begun to fall away.
• There are large separation cracks resulting from the twisting of the block.

Many of these issues build up over time. Keep a close eye on your foundation to avoid having to replace your walls.