Hydrostatic Pressure: What is it? What Does it Mean?

The term hydrostatic pressure can be used to describe how water and liquid applies a passive pressure to the thing it surrounds or is absorbed into. This reality affects everyone and your homes when it comes to having a safe foundation.

The foundation of a home, like a basement and sometimes crawl space, is surrounded by the earth. This ground is filled with water and other liquids that apply hydrostatic pressure onto the walls. Over time the freezing, thawing, addition, and subtraction of these liquids change the amount of hydrostatic pressure that is exerted. Once, just like high blood pressure, the liquid around the walls is dense enough it creates a problem that should be monitored. The main problem being a collapsed wall, but first comes symptoms such as crumbling mortar joints or hair line fractures. Over time the pressure on basement and crawl space walls begin to bow them and can even turn blocks sideways. Also, a lot of the time, the effects create tiny pathways for the water causing the pressure to get inside and this form puddles with no obvious signs of leakage. Once a wall gets to this point though, it is imperative to find a solution.

There are many options to fix or ward against hydrostatic pressure ruining a foundation wall. One common way would be to replace the foundation completely. However, doing this is very disruptive and while it fixes the immediate issues it does not solve the underlying problem with hydrostatic pressure. What we suggest and install are solutions that help fight against the soil which holds the liquids causing the pressure. These solutions such as Carbon Armor strips or PowerBrace beams are designed to help the wall hold in place with enough countervailing pressure to not fall or crack. The strips are flexible and ten times stronger than steel, which allows a great deal of versatility when supporting a home. The PowerBrace steel beams are great because the system allows us to tighten them overtime and assist in bending a wall back into place, not just holding it where it is at.

All in all, the important thing to note about hydrostatic pressure is that it exists in all our daily lives and may be an important factor. If you believe you are experiencing issues with your foundation because of this pressure it is highly suggested that you look for a solution before it is too late. We enjoy helping our customers and finding the right solutions, so feel free to call us and ask for a free inspection. To us the most important thing is your homes safety and we have plenty of solutions for your home’s problems.