What Causes Foundation Damage?

The common cause of foundation damage is water buildup around the foundation. When unchecked, this leads to soil expansion that applies pressure to your home. This pressure, known as hydrostatic pressure, gradually weakens the foundation, resulting in cracked, leaning, or bowing basement walls.

The signs of foundation damage:

  • Decreased Property Value

    Stair Step Cracks

    Visible cracks resembling steps along the foundation wall, forming a distinct pattern on the block wall.

  • Sagging Floors

    Tipping and Bowing

    Basement walls leaning or bowing inward, indicating structural stress.

  • Water Damage

    Horizontal Shearing

    Noticeable shifting at the foundation base, causing lower sections to protrude beyond upper sections.

  • Additional Damage

    Horizontal or Vertical Cracks

    Troublesome cracks traversing the foundation horizontally or vertically, extending across walls or basement floors.

  • Structural Collapse

    Uneven Floors

    Floors displaying a noticeable tilt in one direction or a dip in the center, affecting overall levelness and stability.

  • Decreased Property Value
    Stair Step Cracks

    Visible cracks resembling steps along the foundation wall, forming a distinct pattern on the block wall.

  • Sagging Floors
    Tipping and Bowing

    Basement walls leaning or bowing inward, indicating structural stress.

  • Water Damage
    Horizontal Shearing

    Noticeable shifting at the foundation base, causing lower sections to protrude beyond upper sections.

  • Additional Damage
    Horizontal or Vertical Cracks

    Troublesome cracks traversing the foundation horizontally or vertically, extending across walls or basement floors.

  • Structural Collapse
    Uneven Floors

    Floors displaying a noticeable tilt in one direction or a dip in the center, affecting overall levelness and stability.

    Foundation Repair from
    The Basement Doctor

    Since 1987, The Basement Doctor has helped thousands of families stabilize their homes across West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio. With our basement waterproofing and foundation repair services, our experts will provide affordable, lasting solutions that protect your foundation from moisture.

    Foundation Repair

    Basement Drainage Systems

    Interior waterproofing systems that collect and expel water from your basement.

    Learn More

    Foundation Repair

    French Drain Installation

    An external drainage system to collect and divert groundwater from your foundation.

    Learn More

    Foundation Repair

    Sump Pump Installation and Maintenance

    Sump pumps you can depend on to keep your basement dry whenever it rains.

    Learn More

    Foundation Repair

    Foundation Crack Repair

    Sealing foundation wall and floor cracks to restore your home’s structural integrity.

    Learn More

    Foundation Repair

    Basement Wall Repair

    For leaning or bowing basement walls, restoring the structural stability of your home.

    Learn More

    • Foundation Repair
      Basement Drainage Systems

      Interior waterproofing systems that collect and expel water from your basement.

      Learn More

    • Foundation Repair
      French Drain Installation

      An external drainage system to collect and divert groundwater from your foundation.

      Learn More

    • Foundation Repair
      Sump Pump Installation and Maintenance

      Sump pumps you can depend on to keep your basement dry whenever it rains.

      Learn More

    • Foundation Repair
      Foundation Crack Repair

      Sealing foundation wall and floor cracks to restore your home’s structural integrity.

      Learn More

    • Foundation Repair
      Basement Wall Repair

      For leaning or bowing basement walls, restoring the structural stability of your home.

      Learn More

      Reviews From Happy
      Customers

      Write a Review or Comment!

      Larry HoffmannLarry Hoffmann
      19:32 11 Nov 22
      We had an excellent experience with the staff of The Basement Doctor. From the office staff, project manager, foreman and crew, all have been informative, courteous, patient with our questions, and well informed of their products. We had the drainage system installed and crawl space treated for mold and encapsulated. Mike and his team were on time every day. He kept us informed of the work goals for each day, and reviewed with us what had been accomplished before he left for the day. The work area was always left clean. We were very pleased with the work done and highly recommend The Basement Doctor.
      glenn white musicglenn white music
      21:38 25 Aug 22
      Had waterproofing done this past week by The Basement Doctor....the whole project went very smooth and turned out great. All the employees of the Basement Doctor were polite and professional and very easy to work with and converse.....The Supervisor on site kept us up to date on everything happening and was great to work with. Overall the experience for the 2 and half day project was pleasant and turned out great....will definitely recommend.
      Terri BryantTerri Bryant
      09:52 09 Jul 22
      Very impressed with The Basement Doctor. Scott was very thorough with explaining everything with the contract and was very knowledgeable about the process. Garth and his crew were extremely friendly and did a fantastic job. They answered any questions that we had. They finished on time and we are very happy with the end result. We can finally use our basement the way we have always wanted. They are very hardworking fellows. Would definitely recommend The Basement Doctor to anyone who needs basement waterproofing. Thanks again!
      xThat GuyXxThat GuyX
      01:14 23 Apr 22
      The Basement Doctor did a great job! If there was any unexpected problems, we had nothing to worry about because The Basement Doctor fixed the problems. For example: A egress window that was purchased had been discontinued, and we learned that we may have two different colored window wells. The Basement Doctor was able to get the egress window and matching window wells, all we had to do was agree to the color change! The Foreman, Jamison Read, had a great crew who worked hard, showed up to work on time, and were very polite. I had no hesitation talking to or asking questions to any of the workers or the foreman! They all were very informative about the work they were doing and they all knew their jobs well. The crew were not afraid to do quality control checks while on the job. They noticed that a window that we purchased was slightly bent, and instead of installing a bad window, they refused to install a window that, " if I wouldn't put it on my house, I won't put it on your house."In summary, we are very pleased with the quality of work that the basement doctor provided, and we were pleased with everyone who was involved. Everything went smooth from start to finish! Thanks Basement Doctor!
      AA
      15:41 18 Apr 22
      We've had The Basement Doctor out to our house on multiple services.Sump Pump, Battery Backup System initially...Then a Water Evacuation Line Replacement when it collapsed several months later.They've been very good at helping us not only discuss the issues prior to repairs, but advise on the best way to do so.Brian and John are great guys!
      Randy ThompsonRandy Thompson
      16:35 05 Apr 22
      The crew was fast and efficient and did exactly what they said they would do. The finished job looked great and our new sump pump is working great and quietly! I’m happy now that water that will find its way inside won’t be all over the basement floor! Excellent job from start to finish and a hassle free experience all around. I highly recommend Basement Doctor! I hope I never need them again, but if I do, they’ll be the first and only call I make!
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