Foundation Repair Photo Album: Tree Roots Causing Wall Cracks in Dixon, KY

Our homeowner in Dixon, KY had tree roots that were pushing in on the cement block foundation, causing the wall to bow and crack. A tree’s root system is complex. In general, trees will grow between one to three times the width of their canopy, and in some cases, trees can develop roots that are twice as wide as the tree is high! This means if a tree is close to your home, the root system can bury itself under your home’s foundation. Trees also need moisture to survive, and their way of doing this is by having their roots constantly searching for water and nutrients. If water is not available, the roots will extend themselves until water is found. If you’ve had your home waterproofed on the outside, their roots will grow towards drainage systems and plumbing lines in search of water. When their roots grow and expand, they displace the surrounding soil adding pressure on your basement walls. Once the pressure becomes too much, it can cause cracks in your home’s foundation or even cause foundation settlement.

Horizontal Cracking in Basement Wall

Horizontal cracking near the middle of the wall is one of the first symptoms you will notice in the case of a bowing wall. It'll start out small and increase in width over time as the soil outside continues to put pressure on the wall.

Horizontal and Stair-Step Cracking in Dixon, KY

Stair-step cracking at the corners of a bowing wall is another common sign. It typically means that the problem is getting worse. As the wall bows more severely in the middle, the corners are held up by adjacent walls, creating the stair-step cracking effect.

Permanently Stabilize Wall Failure in Dixon, KY

Our team installed 12 Geo-Lock Foundation Wall Anchors. Wall anchors can be used for a variety of problems such as bowing walls, walls tipping in at the top, and walls pushing in at the bottom. They're installed independently from the floor system of the home and are the best option to straighten the wall permanently over time. Another benefit is their ability to be tightened during a dry period, allowing for improvement and straightening the wall.

Wall Failure Repaired

They're galvanized steel earth anchors that are embedded into the soil out away from the foundation wall. They are connected to steel wall plates with galvanized steel rods.