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Bowing Basement Wall

Basement Wall Stabilization

Posted on May 15, 2022

Bowing Basement Walls

If your basement walls are bowing, you need to call a foundation repair company. Foundation repair companies like Atlantic Foundation specialize in basement wall stabilization. What seems like a minor problem could become a nightmare.

A bowing basement wall is telling you that there is trouble. It is easy to assume that your basement walls bow due to foundation settling. Usually, the foundation settling does not cause basement walls to bend inwards. The foundation will settle a bit after construction, but if your basement walls bow, there is a bigger problem than a settling foundation. Bowing walls have many causes. Here are just a few:

    • Hydrostatic Pressure occurs when water sits in the soil over a long period, and that pressure pushes into the basement wall. 
    • Erosion can cause the walls to lose support by lessening the soil. 
    • Frozen soil can expand and place unwanted pressure on basement walls. 
    • Heavy Objects that sit for long periods on the ground next to the basement wall; when cars are parked right next to the home’s wall and left there over a long period, they can push the soil down and into the wall causing it to bow.  
    • Large roots that grow outward over time can cause basement walls to bend inward. 

Solutions to Basement Bowing

There are a variety of options to discuss with your foundation company. There are DIY on the internet involving effective materials, but we recommend letting professional foundation repair specialists tackle this daunting project. Here are some options to fix a bowing basement wall.

    • Traditional wall straightening is an option that is expensive yet less invasive. This method might work if your walls bowed due to new construction settling. The risk is that your walls may return to their original state because there are no reinforcements. Carbon straps will be necessary with wall straightening so that the walls don’t relapse. 
    • Carbon fiber materials are the most reliable for fixing basement walls. Carbon fiber stables are great if used with an epoxy resin material. Using a filler material alone is not recommended. The tensile strength of carbon fiber materials allows for expansion or retraction in your walls. 
    • Carbon fiber straps work for large areas of bowed walls. The straps are attached from the foundation to the top of the basement wall. This option is very tensile and offers full support. 
    • Helical ties used with carbon fiber straps, add even more support. This option is the most reliable and is the original go-to for fixing basement walls. 
    • Wall anchoring is ideal for bowing in the walls that are more than two inches. If you have concrete walls and the walls are not cracked, this solution is reliable. Your foundation company will dig down to the level of the bend and install the wall anchors. To finish they will cement them into place. 

Follow-Up Practices After Stabilization

Make sure that you check your basement walls to ensure they are still stable. Carbon straps need to be monitored to ensure they withstand time. You may need to change out carbon straps or staples over the course of a few years.

If you are concerned about your basement walls, look for a company like Atlantic Foundation & Crawlspace Repair which gives free evaluations and are experts in their field. Don’t sleep on unstable basement walls

Source:
How to Repair Bowing Basement Walls (thespruce.com)

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