Bulging Wall

owsnews · 12-29-2007, 09:35 PM

Hi Guys,

I have a bulging wall in my living room. What are some of the steps that I should be considering? I am a newbie.

Thanks

http://public.fotki.com/owsnews/alls...icture001.html
http://public.fotki.com/owsnews/alls...icture002.html
http://public.fotki.com/owsnews/alls...icture003.html

USP45 · 12-29-2007, 09:44 PM

I looked at the pics and have a very important question, is the wall under the window plumb (Up and down) and if not, how far out is it? Use a 2 foot level if you can and tell us how far out of plumb in 2 feet it is by holding the level against the wall, then making the level read plumb, then measure how far the level is off the wall. OR is it bowed horizontally? If it is out of plumb it would appear to me that the walls around the window have settled and the area at the window has not. This will cause the bowing. It could be due to insufficient clearence at the header, in other words when it was framed the opening was too small and the window was forced into place.

pavola · 12-29-2007, 10:26 PM

It looks like an old bow window where the window itself is settling the sill and the framing under the sill is twisting, creating the horizontal crack. Check level on the sill and if that is supported outside.

owsnews · 12-29-2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USP45

I looked at the pics and have a very important question, is the wall under the window plumb (Up and down) and if not, how far out is it? Use a 2 foot level if you can and tell us how far out of plumb in 2 feet it is by holding the level against the wall, then making the level read plumb, then measure how far the level is off the wall. OR is it bowed horizontally? If it is out of plumb it would appear to me that the walls around the window have settled and the area at the window has not. This will cause the bowing. It could be due to insufficient clearence at the header, in other words when it was framed the opening was too small and the window was forced into place.

Oops, forgot to mention that the bulging is due to a huge AC that I placed on the window that caused the bulging. I was more curious about what steps to remedy the appearance. thanks

pavola · 12-29-2007, 11:12 PM

Is it lathe and plaster or drywall?

USP45 · 12-30-2007, 08:34 AM

Well first we need to know what caused the bow before we can offer any suggestions as to the repair process. If it were an AC unit then water damage may be the culpret. I would be inclined to remove the area under the window, check and see what is going on. If it is plaster then the lathing could had come loose from the studs. Best bet is to remove the wall, inspect, then repair. There should be no trouble removing it as the header and jack studs should hold all the weight while you work on it. It could just be the lathing come loose, drywall warped, or it could be the studs rotted or the top plate has come un nailed from the cripples on the end. Any case an easy fix.