How to Fix a Bowing Basement Wall

Why This is One Repair Job You Shouldn't Put Off

If you take a look at a basement or foundation wall, chances are you will notice a few cracks. Concrete often will develop hairline cracks. If you notice that the wall is starting to bow inward at the crack, however, it is time to take action. Bowing walls should be dealt with quickly once they are noticed.

That's not to say that a wall is going to go from a narrow horizontal crack with slight bowing to imminent collapse in a few days. The longer you wait, however, the worse the bowing will get. And the worse the bowing gets, the more expensive and invasive the potential repair options will become.

straight and horizontal wall crack in basement foundation

Example of a bowing wall

How Do You Test for a Bowing Wall?

One of the tell-tale signs of a bowing wall is a horizontal crack, often in a mortar joint if it is a masonry or concrete block wall. To test if the wall is starting to bow, one easy way is to tie a small weight to the end of a string and hold one end of the string up to the crack. If the weight is hanging away from the wall rather than against it, your wall has started to bow inward. Even if the bowing hasn't begun, though, any horizontal crack should be monitored because they are often a sign of structural issues.

Why Are Your Walls Bowing?

There are several issues that could cause a basement or a below grade foundation wall to begin to crack and bow.

  1. Hydrostatic Pressure: This is among the most common. Hydrostatic pressure is a technical term for pressure exerted by water, in this case water that has collected underground alongside your foundation. The water-logged soil exerts a greater amount of pressure on the wall than the soil otherwise would, and if this pressure becomes too great, the wall might begin to crack and bow inward. One note: If you notice water pooling near your foundation, it is a good idea to take basic waterproofing measures such as gutters and downspout extenders if you don't already have them, improved grading or an exterior drainage system. The repairs mentioned below will solve the wall problem, but water pooling near your foundation can cause other issues as well.
  2. Expansive Soils: Certain soils, especially clays, are often referred to as expansive. This is because they have more extreme shrink-swell cycles when they get wet. This pressure can cause issues with upheaval, but it also exerts greater pressure on basement walls.
  3. Frost: The pressure that soil exerts on the wall can sometimes increase as it expands when freezing.

Why You Shouldn't Mess Around With Bowing Walls

There are several options to repair bowing walls. The problem is, the worse the bowing gets the fewer options there are.

And, as is always the case, it is not the more expensive or invasive options that get taken off the table. It is always best to contact a wall repair professional when you still have options. You don't want to be left with needing to completely replace the basement or foundation wall.

HELICAL TIEBACK ANCHORS

Helical Tiebacks

Ways to Fix Bowing Walls

1. Wall Stabilization with Carbon Fiber

In general, the advantage of interior wall stabilization methods is that they require no exterior work at all. It works by adding reinforcements to the wall from the inside.

Traditionally, steel I-beams have been used for this job, and in some cases contractors still favor them.

An increasing number, however, are turning to carbon fiber straps.

The straps are stronger than steel and, because they are thin and can be painted over, are also the easiest to hide of the bowing wall repair methods. They are affixed with an epoxy and are usually attached above the wall and pinned to the footer.

I-beams, carbon fiber and other interior wall stabilization methods, however, generally share the same caveat. They are usually highly effective at stabilizing the wall. They do not, however, straighten the wall on their own.

Different measures (or additional ones along with the carbon fiber) must be taken if shearing is occuring. Shearing occurs when a portion of the wall actually begins to slide forward, not just bow. This is obviously a serious problem. If a wall is even displaying a likelihood of shearing, that must be taken into account during the repair process.

2. Anchoring the Wall Outside with Helical Tiebacks or Plate Anchors

Another option which allows for more extensive repairs involves anchoring the walls in the soil outside, providing a counteracting force to the pressure being exerted on the wall.

In both of these cases, a metal plate is attached to the the inside of the basement or foundation wall. It is attached to a steed rod that is driven into the soil outside the home.

The difference comes in how they anchor that rod.

With a plate anchor, once the rod is driven into the soil, a small hole is dug in the yard so a metal plate can be attached to the end of the rod. The anchor is then torqued and seated, stabilizing the wall.

With helical tiebacks the anchoring is done with helical plates that are attached to the anchoring rod. It is then screwed into the soil, much like helical piers used for foundation repairs, with the helical plates providing the resistance to stabilize the wall.

Because of plates, helical tiebacks require the excavation of the area along the wall. This makes them more intrusive but also allows for the straightening of the wall immediately. A plate anchor can be made to gradually straighten the wall, but if it must be done immediately, excavation along the outside of the wall will be required as well.

3. Replacing the Wall

This is the worst-case scenario. First it is the most invasive of the repairs. Second, if nothing else has changed, the new wall will likely begin to eventually bow as well. That is why it is best to catch bowing walls early.

Contact My Foundation Repairs to Get Your Bowing Walls Fixed

My Foundation Repairs has a nationwide network of contractors who use top-quality wall repair products to fix bowing wall issues. Your My Foundation Repairs contractor will work directly with you to diagnose your problem. They will find the right solution for your specific situation. Our network of contractors believe in customer service and providing you the best experience possible. Our core values include:

  • Clear, open communication about the project
  • After installation, the work area left clean and orderly
  • Don’t offer services and products that you don’t need
  • Willing to work around your schedule
  • Always be on time for the job
  • Offer professional, quality service

Contact our customer service professionals today to connect to the best company in your area to fit your needs. We look forward to helping you resolve your foundation problems and giving you a stable, strong home for years and years to come!