BASEMENT WALL BRACING, REPAIR & REPLACEMENT

Basement Foundation Wall Bracing Methods:

If you catch the problem early, you can brace walls without digging!

Walls that are cracked but are displaced less than 1 inch can be braced against further movement. Three common bracing techniques are filling the block cores with rebar and concrete, fastening steel I Beams to the floor joists at the top and the footing below the floor and installing carbon fiber straps onto the walls. In addition to leakage problems, concrete block foundation walls often display cracks, the early signs of failure. If the walls are fairly dry and if they have not been displaced more than 1 inch from plumb, it is possible to brace the walls without having to excavate the foundation. Basement wall bracing systems can strengthen and help support a cracked, or failing basement wall.

Wall Pinning:

The first method consists of filling the block wall core column with rebar and concrete. This requires removing the exterior face of a concrete block near the grade line (not at the top) and inserting steel rebar into the block core column and pushing it down to the footing. This can be done every 48 inches apart in the failing wall area. The core columns are then filled with a concrete slurry mix and the block face is repaired.

Wall bracing

Basement Wall Bracing With Steel Beams:

Another way to brace a cracked or bowing walls is to install steel beams inside the basement that span the wall vertically between the footings under the basement floor and the floor joists above at the top.. The steel beams are typically installed 48 inches apart for a standard 11-course basement.
Basement I-beam wall bracing

Basement Wall Replacement:

When its too late to brace, the wall will have to be replaced!

This is done by first shoring up the wall area being replaced. Heavy duty jacks and beams are set up to hold the weight of the structure inside the basement while work is being performed. The outside soil is then excavated down to the bottom of the foundation. Once the soil is removed, the open trench is also shored up (braced) with beams and plywood to prevent soil from caving into the trench. Next, the failing basement wall is taken down and hauled away. The existing footer is then inspected for cracks and new wall is then installed in its place. All new block walls are reinforced with rebar and concrete. When this is completed the exterior of the wall is parged (apply mortar to the surface the masonry wall), then waterproofed and a new footing drain is installed. The area will then be backfilled with washed stone and topped off with soil and the work area cleaned up.

Carbon Fiber Wall Straps:

The third method involves bonding carbon fiber straps with industrial grade epoxy directly onto the basement wall. These carbon fiber straps are installed every 4 to 5 feet depending on the size/length of the effected area. This method restores structural integrity to cracked walls and are less intrusive than steel beams. Once completed, the area can be painted and covered leaving a clean look.

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