Have you noticed that your basement walls are bowing? This is a significant foundation red flag.
Basements are literally under the ground and the first part of your home to be affected by a shifting foundation. The good news is your basement is also the first line of defense in protecting the integrity of your home.
Problems with your foundation will likely start as minor cracks in the concrete. If not repaired, these could lead to bigger issues like a bowing basement wall. Keep reading below to learn about why this happens and our three tools for addressing the issue.
Common Reasons for a Bowing Basement Wall
Foundation problems are interconnected, meaning the same issue that is responsible for cracks in your basement wall is also to blame for not being able to open doors or windows. It’ll only get worse if you don’t do anything about it.
Is your basement wall bowing? This could be why:
- Too much water around your house due to poor drainage
- Hydrostatic pressure applied to your foundation walls
- Expansive clay soil putting too much pressure on basement walls
- Soil around your house naturally shifting
- Foundation concrete breaking down over time
Any of these reasons could cause your basement wall to bow. Here at USS, we have three options in our tool belt to secure a basement wall.
Steel Vertical I-Beams
Our preference is to install Steel Vertical I-Beams because they are the strongest and most economical.
If the wall has not suffered too much displacement, the beams can be installed as a stabilization solution to stop the wall from moving.
We can also excavate the soil on the exterior of your home to remove the soil load. The basement wall is then hydraulically realigned before we install the beams to permanently secure it in place.
Helical Tieback Anchors
Another option is using a mechanical anchoring system called Helical Tieback Anchors. We’ll use hydraulic equipment to drill these anchors through the wall and into the soil outside of your home.
Next, we tighten the anchors until the wall is straight and they are secure in the ground. These anchors are more flexible than other systems.
When Steel Vertical I-Beams are not an option due to certain restrictions, helical tiebacks can be used.
Carbon Fiber Reinforcement
Our last option is a good choice for less severe problems. This is what we would normally do before a basement wall begins to bow. We can install carbon straps or staples depending on how much damage is done.
For a home foundation repair, indestructible carbon is woven into a fabric. Straps of this fabric are affixed to the basement wall with epoxy and a steel angle is added to the top of the wall.
This job can be done quickly, and once in place, you have a permanent solution.
Home Foundation Repair Services
Our team can help you to repair a bowing basement wall. We have the flexibility to use Steel Vertical I-Beams, Helical Tieback Anchors or carbon fiber reinforcements.
Let us evaluate your basement walls and recommend which of these tools would work best.
Call us today at 847-382-2882 if you have any questions about choosing a foundation repair service or if you’d like to schedule a free consultation.
