Cracked / Bowing Walls

Cracked basement walls in homes from Richmond, Virgnia to Johnson City, Tennessee all have a common cause. Your basement or crawlspace walls are at least partially underground and are subject to pressure from the surrounding soil. In some cases, this pressure can push the walls in causing structural problems.

There are basic methods to correct this problem that range from stopping the inward movement to bringing the walls back to their original position. In most cases it is not necessary to rebuild the walls.

Seal-Tite® has perfected all three of the following methods:

1. Installing steel I-beams
 
Beams are installed through the floor and into the footer. The top of the beams are bolted into the joists. This method uses the exisiting footer and structure of the building to prevent further bowing of the wall.

2. Installing carbon fiber straps
 
A newer method involves carbon fiber (a woven material that has a tensile strength 10 times stronger than steel). These straps are bonded to the wall with epoxy to provide a low profile solution that prevents further bowing of the wall.

3. Installing wall anchors
 
This method involves installing plates against the basement walls. Next, rods are drilled into the surrounding soil through the walls and outside earth anchors are attached. The plates are tightened to stabilize and, in some cases, pull back the walls.

The best method for you depends on a number of factors. In some instances where the walls are only slightly bowed, one of the first two methods would be appropriate. However, to determine the best approach, you should have a professional evaluate your particular situation.