Bowed Basement Walls Tips

[@SJ-gd6bo]

Carbon fiber wasnt a thing when I was working it. We just used I beams and poured a new concrete wall to height on the inside of the structure to keep the wall from maxing out and collapsing. Nice info, branching out a bit more.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Thank you! We've done a lot with i-beams but we're moving into carbon fiber for those with less bowed walls.

[@JasonFelton-wx2zk]

What if you have two walls that are doing it right next to each other like the one on the left and the one straight ahead? Can these be repaired in the same method?

[@guttermedic6944]

My house is a split level in the center of my property. About a 1/4 acre in a residential neighborhood. The yard slopes downward towards the road. I noticed that the back wall, which is mostly below grade, is starting to bow. Looks to be about 1 1/2 inch. I've had a guy, recommended by people I know and trust, give me a quote on digging out behind the wall, putting in a french drain that he'll runn around the house and to the street drain, waterproof the back wall on the outside and fill in with gravel. I had a second person come out and quote what they would do. They are with a semi local basement company that is also highly recommended. They wanted to go the route of beams or carbon fiber, but no exterior work. The basement guys would run me about $16,000 vs the other guy was about $10,000. I've been looking for as many opinions as I can on the matter. The people close to me think digging out behind the wall and doing that work is the better way to go by actually fixing the pressure problem. They also believe that they wall will settle back and straighten, atleast some what, with the pressure of the dirt being removed. What do you think?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

The wall will not straighten unless the dirt is removed. It probably will not straighten by itseld with the dirt removed. Usually a foundation company will excavate and install tie backs to straighten the wall then waterprrof outside and possibly inside too depending on how bad water intrusion is. Tie backs are used to straighten and keep from bowing again. Carbon and ibeams can only prevent more movement and nothing will straight a wall without removing the soil on the outside that I am aware of. Hope that helps.

[@MLJenkins]

This is very interesting, great video and explanation. My daughter was looking at a home to purchase and the inspector told her two of the walls were bowing slightly and needed anchors. I have never heard about the beams or carbon fiber. After looking at installation of both, I have to wonder how do manufacture's test these solutions before they market them? That is the most interesting thing how they tie into the floor and to the sill plate and/or floor joists and how that would be able to hold back that much pressure from outside the wall. Especially with the carbon fiber, as I've heard it was a very strong material, but that's amazing it can be used for something like that. How does an average DIYer figure out how many of those straps they would need? Or would you have to consult a structural engineer to determine that?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Hi Matt, the general rule of thumb is placing strips 4’ apart for an 8’ high block wall, starting with the first strap 4’ in from the corner, so it will depend on the length of the wall you are needing to install them on. If the wall is bowing / tipping / or shearing more than an inch you should probably have a contractor come look at it. A structural engineer is probably not necessary unless their state requires it or there are serious issues beyond what a contractor can diagnose and fix.

[@joycey4754]

We have a basement window above our bowing in wall.

[@root123]

Amazing video. How much bowing is considered bad and needs support for the inside?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Any bowing is bad. It is best to contact a engineer for expert information

[@JohnDoe-pe6iu]

Thanks for the great information. Can Carbon Fiber be used on a bowing brick foundation wall? Also what are your thoughts on using high strength steel straps for a bowing brick foundation wall? Thanks.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

I am not seeing a lot of data supporting the use of carbon fiber on brick walls. The Carbon Guard we recommend specifically says "for unrivaled adhesion to concrete and block" and does not mention using on brick. You may want a local structural engineer to assess the situation to determine the best way to proceed. Hope that helps.

[@Loonypapa]

Around my part of the country, the carbon fiber installer warranties are voided if the foundation block gets wet.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Thanks for sharing. Can you tell us where you are located?

[@davejames2015]

Why not use wood, like a 2x8 wall and Jack from the slab against the wall pushing back?

[@stickano4977]

How many pound of torque do you use with the steel I beams?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

We will have more videos about beams and jacks soon. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaSkZ3epetNlbac Hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions.

[@heidicain-lebo2630]

Looking at a house that has at least 8-10, 18" x 6-8' sheets and also waterproofed the basement... What's your take on it. And it seems the rear of the property is very wet.

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

The structure has already been waterproofed on the inside?

[@heidicain-lebo2630]

@@CrawlSpaceNinja yes

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

@@heidicain-lebo2630 Unfortunately I am not in a position to give real estate purchasing advice, I'd speak to your home inspector/realtor and do research on the area and the company that installed the system.

[@heidicain-lebo2630]

@@CrawlSpaceNinja Hahah it's all good real estate or not, we walked away.. This is the 3rd basement like this in the neighborhood.. I'm out lol

[@anthonyscott3659]

I have a slight bow less than 2 inches , and previous owners had a tile drain system installed along the wall to help dispurse water and the basement was waterproofed but they didn't reinforce the walls .... if I went with ibeams would it even be safe to anchor them to the newer cement poured when the tile system was installed ?

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

When it comes to bowing. We are now finding it better to speak with an engineer if you plan to DIY

[@donaldlee6760]

Fixing bowed foundation walls is a bit of a specialty fix. I think you'd like watching this video by a diy-minded licensed structural engineer. He goes over many aspects, such as preventative maintenance (grading the yard, downspouts, removing tree roots pushing into the foundation), as well as carbon fiber, soldier beams, excavation, and more - kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIS1nGprqqyci9U

[@CrawlSpaceNinja]

Really great resource! Thank you for sharing. We'll have to look more into the other solutions he shows for minimal bowing.