Fixing Leaning Foundation Walls Before It’s Too Late
Leaning walls
Wall lean is almost always caused by external forces pushing on the wall and water is the overwhelming culprit.
When soil becomes saturated with water, extra force (Hydrostatic Pressure) is exerted on the foundation wall because of the weight of this water. Imagine a swimming pool on opposite day, totally dry and surrounded by water. When water saturates the ground next to the foundation and later dries out, this is like filling and emptying the opposite-swimming pool, adding force to the wall, then taking it off. This cycle is the main reason walls lean.
Fixing the issue starts on the outside. First, ensure water flows away from the home, that gutters are functioning, and that downspouts correctly discharge away from the home.
Don’t wait until it gets worse, early action can save you thousands
When foundation walls begin to lean, it’s a sign that pressure is building. If left unaddressed, the lean can progress past the point where common stabilization methods are effective — usually around 4 degrees of tilt. At that stage, more invasive and expensive repairs may be required, such as excavating around the foundation and physically repositioning the wall. This can significantly increase the cost of the project and often means tearing up your yard.
Even more concerning, severely leaning walls can expose your home’s framing to the elements, leading to wood rot and structural damage inside the home. We understand how stressful foundation issues can be — but the good news is, everything can be fixed. Acting early means simpler, less disruptive solutions and real peace of mind.
Waterproof crack injection by Jet Foundation Repair