How To Fix A Bowed Exterior Wall

ILLINOIS FOUNDATION REPAIR SERVICES

Originally posted 4/23/20, updated 10/8/21

You may non immediately realize that one of your basement walls is bowing.  It's usually a slow, gradual procedure that ordinarily starting time displays equally cracks in the wall. This is something yous should lookout man for, and take action promptly if you observe whatsoever problems. We're not recommending this just because we're foundation experts that exercise these types of repairs.

A bowed wall is a critical concern- it threatens the structural integrity of your home.  Your entire house is relying on the strength of your foundation. If a bowing wall is not repaired, it will eventually collapse.  When a foundation wall collapses, your abode suffers astringent structural damage.  Your home is at present open to the elements- rain, mud, wind, and worse can freely intrude into your basement.  And in one case the principal floor of your home is no longer adequately supported, walls in the rest of your home volition lean, floors volition droop, pipes will strain and burst… essentially, your home will no longer be safe to live in and your foundation will need to exist rebuilt.  We're not trying to utilise "scare tactics" to frighten you; we genuinely want to assistance y'all forestall this from happening to your home.  We occasionally run into homeowners experiencing this type of situation, and we wouldn't wish information technology on anyone!

Acculevel has been repairing foundations and restoring peace of mind since 1996.  There are several different methods for repairing a cracked or bowed wall, depending on the state of affairs.  Nosotros will review each blazon and clearly explain the all-time circumstances for using them. This will allow yous to evaluate each on its own merits, and decide what method is best for you and your habitation.

What Are Signs of a Bowing Wall?

We recommend that you check your home and foundation at least in one case a twelvemonth, as a precautionary measure.  If you would similar details for this, we offer a DIY checklist for what to look for in another article.

For our purpose here, you are looking for a long horizontal crack in the wall.  If the basement wall is made of concrete cake, it may look like stair-step cracks instead.  Below is a picture show where y'all can encounter both.

This picture was taken by an Acculevel project advisor during a routine costless judge engagement.

What Causes a Bowing Wall?

If y'all have a bowing wall, chances are it's due to hydrostatic pressure.  This pressure level is caused when the footing around your abode is saturated with water.  When also much water accumulates, it starts to "push" or exert pressure against your foundation walls.  We discuss hydrostatic pressure and its consequences more than thoroughly in this commodity.  In most cases, it's taken several years for hydrostatic pressure to crack your basement wall.

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In rare cases, hydrostatic pressure tin can cause meaning bowing in but a few hours or days.  This would be the result of severe weather events with high rain levels and ground saturation or flooding.

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This means that water has been a trouble on the exterior of your habitation for a pregnant amount of fourth dimension.  If information technology hasn't intruded into your basement, yet? You've been lucky, because that much h2o pressure usually seeps into -and through- concrete.

If you have been experiencing h2o intrusion, it'southward entirely possible that you may demand water drainage installed.  Waterproofing will alleviate the pressure level on your currently bowing wall, and tin foreclose hydrostatic force per unit area from damaging the other walls of your basement, subsequently.

This photo was taken by an Acculevel team fellow member after sealing cracks, installing carbon fiber straps on 2 adjoining walls, and interior water drainage around the basement perimeter. (FYI: Once dry, these repairs tin can exist painted over.)

Our goal at Acculevel is to help you preserve and protect your home.  We do this past providing a whole-home solution , which should address both your home's current symptoms and the underlying cause of the outcome.

What is The Best Method for Repairing a Bowed Wall?

I don't mean to sound evasive, but the respond to this depends on how far the wall is bowing.  The options for repair become more than invasive and more expensive, as the damage increases. The earlier y'all accept activity, the meliorate for your domicile and wallet!

The three types of repair are carbon cobweb straps, wall anchors, and helical tiebacks.  We'll walk you through the details of each ane. Based on how far your wall is bowing, one of these solutions will be the best option for your home.

I'd like to make a distinction, before we swoop into the details. Repairing a bowed wall does non necessarily straighten it back to its original position.  The purpose of these repairs is to stabilize and secure the wall. The goal is to fix the issue, provide force to the wall, and restore stability to your foundation.

If a return to plumb (it's original upright position) is what you want, this may require wall straightening.  Wall straightening requires excavation outside the basement,   A contractor then uses hydraulic jacks inside the basement to push the wall back into position.  Once in its optimal place, the wall is then secured, usually with carbon fiber straps.

What Are Carbon Cobweb Straps, and How Exercise They Work?

Typically, if your wall is bowing two inches or less, a contractor can install carbon cobweb straps.  This is the ideal selection, because carbon fiber straps are the least invasive and least expensive choice.  The carbon straps that Acculevel uses are made of a kevlar textile that, in one case properly secured, should restore your home'south structural stability. (Acculevel warranties their carbon fiber straps for the life of the structure.)

The straps are secured to the wall with epoxy.  This epoxy seals the wall and fuses the strap to information technology.  Straps should be placed approximately every 4 feet along the wall.  This kind of installation can exist washed entirely from the within of the basement, so no digging is required.

The straps have a special ballast at the tiptop and bottom of the wall, to prevent shearing or sliding. One time the installation is consummate, the straps and wall can be painted to minimize the repair'due south appearance.

This is an illustration of Fortress Carbon Fiber Straps

If your wall is bowing 2 inches or less, carbon straps are going to be the all-time solution for your abode.

What Are Wall Anchors, and How Do They Work?

If your wall is bowing more than 2 inches, y'all have to consider steel wall anchors.  Installation requires work both inside and exterior of your basement.  Anchors, when properly installed, should too restore your habitation's stability and last for an extended period of time.  (Acculevel warranties their anchor installations for the life of the structure.)

To install a wall anchor, the contractor needs at least x feet of usable and accessible ground outside the basement. This requires a sure amount of earthworks, and how much affect this has will depend on what is exterior the damaged wall. This tin can hateful removing or relocating items like decking, porches, sidewalks, garages, etc.

A steel plate or aqueduct is attached to your basement wall, then another plate is buried in the grand, and the two are continued by a steel shaft.  As the steel rod is tightened, it exerts pull on the wall and the anchor in the yard holds it fast.  Anchors should be placed about every 5 feet along the bowing wall.

This is an analogy of Wall Anchors.

If your property is arranged in such a way that anchors are not a good (or legal) option, you'll demand to use tiebacks.  A few examples of this would be:

• The digging would crave removing a domicile addition.
• At that place is an inground pool in that infinite.
• I nstalling the anchor would cantankerous your property line into the neighbor'south yard or onto public state.

If your wall is bowing more than 2 inches and y'all accept 10 anxiety of clear admission around the affected area, wall anchors are the best solution for you.

What Are Helical Tiebacks, and How Exercise They Work?

Tiebacks are the nigh expensive selection, but they are sometimes necessary.  If your wall is bowing more than 2", simply your property organization doesn't allow for anchors, helical tiebacks are the best option.  Like the other ii options, properly installed tiebacks should restore your home's structural stability.  (And Acculevel warranties their tiebacks for the life of the structure.)

A steel shaft with helical (screw-like) plates on the end is drilled at an angle through the earth outside of your foundation.  This shaft is secured to the inside of the basement wall.  This is done with a big steel channel that is anchored into the flooring and extends upward to (or near) the top of the wall.

At this signal, the contractor twists the tieback to a specific torque that holds information technology firmly.  Usually, tiebacks are fourteen-21 feet long, but in sure cases, longer lengths are required to become the proper "grip" or resistance on the soil.

This is an analogy of a Helical Tieback.

Over again, if your wall is bowing too much for straps, only your property system doesn't allow for anchors, helical tiebacks are the best pick.

If Y'all Encounter Signs of Bowing in Your Basement Wall, Take Action.

Please recollect- the sooner yous accost this result, the less information technology volition cost you lot.  Delays can be extremely costly, cause significant damage, and fifty-fifty get a safety concern in the event of a collapse.

You should detect a contractor that is reputable, insured, and accredited with the BBB.  If y'all are unsure virtually how to go nearly this, we have a detailed listing of questions you should ask a contractor.

If you live in Indiana or the surrounding states , contact Acculevel.  We accept an A+ rating with the BBB, and will treat your habitation as if it is our ain.

You tin can request a complimentary judge, and our friendly office staff volition make an date with one of our local projection managers.  They will evaluate your foundation concerns and recommend the best course of activity for you, to keep your home strong and healthy for years to come.

OUR GUARANTEE

We provide permanent solutions using the nearly technologically advanced repairs to help keep your abode on a rubber foundation.

We back our work with lifetime warranties and the best customer service in the manufacture!.

We will not do any unnecessary work. Nosotros encourage homeowners to go estimates earlier hiring.

TOP RATED INDIANAPOLIS FOUNDATION REPAIR EXPERTS

Foundation repair is no easy chore. Let our expert team handle all of your home'due south issues.

Acculevel is your local foundation repair experts, servicing the entire state of Indiana too as Northern Kentucky, Eastern Illinois, Southern Michigan and parts of Western Ohio.

Nosotros strive to provide service that is both affordable and high-quality. If you have any questions about our foundation repair services, contact our team to talk with a project advisor.

Source: https://acculevel.com/what-is-the-best-way-to-repair-a-bowing-wall/

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