Bowed Wall Stabilization
A bowed foundation wall will continue to bow from constant lateral soil pressure until it fails.
The discovery of a bow in your basement walls is a serious issue and should be dealt with sooner rather than later.
This type of repair is usually accomplished in one of three ways:
steel “I” beam
wall pins
carbon fibre/kevlar woven mesh strips (Fortress Stabilization)
Steel “I” beam systems are installed against the problem wall and are concrete into the floor and attached above as well. This method is unsightly, and if the basement is to be finished, the wall must be built out to cover the beams.
Wall pins and wall anchors can also be used. This method involves a hole placed in the concrete block wall to allow steel reinforcing rods to be inserted and filled with concrete.
Our method of choice is a cost-effective, non-intrusive carbon fibre/kevlar woven mesh strips. These strips are superior to steel since they are stiffer, stronger and non-corrosive. After the carbon fibre straps are applied with structural epoxy and cure, the concrete block wall can be painted for a smooth, clean look.
What Causes Bowed Walls?
Bowed foundation walls are often caused by overloading the soil behind the wall, which pushes against the wall causing bowing. Bowing can also be attributed to poor design of the structure, age of the building and lack of adequate bracing.
Problems Cause by a Bowed Basement Wall.
Bowing is a serious problem because it can lead to cracking and crumbling of concrete walls or brick surfaces if not corrected. Bowing not only looks dangerous, but it can also cause the weight-loaded side to break away from vertical restraints like floor joists, header joists and lintels. This can lead to foundation cracking, where water and insects can enter your home. It may also lead to uneven floors, doors that stick, stair-step cracks, leaky basements.
Bowing can also increase the amount of pull on basement walls, which may cause structural floor joists to become loose and eventually fail if left unattended.
Bowed Foundation Wall Repair in St. Catharines and Niagara
Given the amount of expertise involved, repairing bowed basement walls is not a DIY project. Poor repairs can lead to further trouble, so why not fix it right the first time with Foundation Fix.
Contact us today for a no-obligation on-site inspection in the Niagara Ontario and St. Catharines region. Our bowed basement wall repairs come with a lifetime warranty which is transferable to the next homeowner.
