The Top 3 Solutions for Bowed Basement Walls
/Foundation issues are never something that will go away on their own. If anything, they will continue to worsen over time – putting the entire weight of your home in danger. If you discover a bowed basement wall in your home, there’s no time to waste. Here’s what to do!
Information About Bowed Basement Walls
When up to two inches of inward bowing or less is required, your basement wall can be reinforced to prevent further movement. If the wall bows anything greater than two inches, then it will need to be replaced due to structural instability.
Here are three popular solutions that could fix your bowed basement wall.
Steel “I” Beam Systems
Buried below the floor and cemented at the bottom, steel “I” beams are used to properly attach to the wood structure above. Being straight, steel beams only connect to the wall where it is bowed out. To prevent shifting behind the beam, gaps at the top and bottom between the wall and beam must be filled in properly.
The major disadvantage of steel “I” beam systems is that they are visually unappealing. Over time, they can rust and flex, especially if exterior soil conditions create pressure on the wood structure.
If the basement is unfinished, the wall must be built out to cover the beams.
Wall Pins
When steel reinforced rods are used to repair a bowed basement wall, holes are first created in the concrete block. The wall pins are then inserted before the holes are filled back in with concrete.
By being on level within the wall, wall pins provide you with the ability to finish your basement at a later date if desired.
Carbon Fiber/Kevlar Woven Mesh Straps
Carbon fibre mesh/Kevlar woven mesh straps are one of the most popular methods currently used to fix bowed basement walls, and is our method of choice.
By being embedded into the face of your foundation walls and created from a combination of carbon fibre and Kevlar, this solution produces the strongest solution. Other than their shear strength, carbon fibre mesh/Kevlar woven mesh straps are smooth to the wall and can be camouflaged with paint. They’re well-known for their cost-effectiveness.
In cases of moderate to severe bowing walls, carbon-fibre/Kevlar woven mesh straps are often accompanied by basement wall tiebacks.
How to Know When Your Walls Can Be Straightened
If there are open cracks in your basement wall that have never been filled in, the walls may be able to be straightened.
To do so properly, the soil must be appropriately excavated away on the exterior first to alleviate pressure and allow the wall to return to a stable position.
Walls that have cracks that have been caulked or filled in will not be able to be straightened.
Bowed Basement Wall Solutions in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines
Your foundation is the most critical aspect of your home – why trust a foundation problem repair to anyone but an expert foundation contractor? Contact our office today to learn more about the solutions we can provide for your bowed basement walls.
