What Can Be Done About Basement Wall Bowing?

If the brick veneers outside your home have cracks, then you might want to check to see if the cinder blocks in your basement are cracked as well. Besides settling, the bricks could break apart due to a lack of support from the basement walls. Basement wall bowing is caused by hydrostatic pressure, which causes the wall to bow inwards. If the problem is left alone, then the wall will buckle under the weight of the groundwater. Luckily, bowing basement walls can be repaired, which means that the brick cracks outside your home can be fixed as well.  

• Wall Anchors 

Wall anchors are a type of wall stabilization system that stops basement walls from bowing further. Holes are excavated where the earth anchors need to be placed. Once those are installed, holes are drilled into the basement wall, and a steel rod is pushed through until it is attached to the earth anchor outside. A steel plate then is attached to the wall by securing it to the rod with a bolt. As the bolt is tightened, enough pressure is exerted to push back against the hydrostatic pressure, effectively stabilizing the wall. 

Over time, the bolt can be tightened so that enough pressure is exerted to straighten out the wall. As the wall is straightened out, the cracks on the bricks outside will get smaller and smaller until they are back to how they used to be. The thin, non-obtrusive plates do not take up any space in your basement.  

• Wall Braces 

Installing wall anchors requires excavation for the earth anchors. However, not everyone has the yard space for excavation work, so instead of wall anchors, wall braces can be used instead. With wall braces, steel I-beams are secured vertically across the entire wall. They are attached to special brackets, both at the top and at the bottom. These brackets are specially designed to fit in any basement without damaging the floor or floor joists. 

Once in place, the braces permanently stop wall bowing. Like wall anchors, wall braces can slowly straighten basement walls over time. Though they do not require excavation work, the I-beams do protrude from the wall a bit. However, they take up little space and can be covered with drywall.