Bowing Foundation | Columbus, Ohio | StablWall

Capitalizing on Professional Bowing Foundation Walls Systems

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Bowing Foundation Walls

The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) says, in a 2013 study, that bowing foundation walls contribute to over 59% of repairs that their members carry out. In a similar study, the National Realtors Association (NRA®) reckons that your home can lose over 50% of its value due to a similar problem.

With the consequences associated with this common problem including structural damage, electrical and plumbing damage, stress on framing structure, water leakage, property destruction in the basement and overall loss of  home value, it is imperative to promptly get a lasting solution.

Basements Worst Enemies

According to CFA, the major causes of a bowing foundation include unstable soils leading to lateral soil pressure, poor construction, hydrostatic pressure, expansive soils, among others. As a homeowner, immediate remedies from a professional contractor are needed.

The project might require excavation, lifting the weight off the structure and returning the wall as close as possible to the plumb. These professionals have the prerequisite resources, personnel and exposure to work on any kind of project.

Contemporary Solutions

Well, your contractor has a wide range of bowing foundation walls solutions to choose from, but they will depend on a professional diagnosis of the problem. The most popular systems include:

Carbon Fiber Installation

It is cited as the most effective method due to ease of installation and speedy work. The fiber reinforced polymer is 10 times stronger than steel beams, and specifically formulated for such repairs. These strips are adhered using a high-strength epoxy that absorbs pressure. Once this is done, the project is complete and the beauty of it is that there is no digging involved.

Heavy Duty Steel Wall Braces

This system is designed to permanently halt the inward bowing of foundation walls, tilting at the top and sliding at the bottom. The braces are fitted into holes drilled from the interior of your basement without any need for extensive excavation. They can even be tightened in future to finally restore the wall to its original position.

Helical Anchors

This has become a top choice for effective repairs, especially where damage is extensive. It involves driving a shaft with helical blades which permanently stabilize your home. They don’t require a lot of digging and easily restore your property’s value without a lot of disturbance to your home’s structure.

They can also be easily concealed once you are done with the repairs in your basement. The corrosion-resistant galvanized steel used is a tested and proven support material that lasts the life of your home.

There are many other patented bowing foundation walls solutions, but they can only be effective if your contractor has correctly diagnosed the issue.

Bowed Basement Walls | Col, OH | StablWall

Why You Shouldn’t Attempt to Repair Bowed Basement Walls on Your Own

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Bowed Basement Walls

Do-it-yourself repairs are a great way to save money and gain invaluable experience fixing things around the house. With increased access to instructional videos over the internet and on TV, more people are turning to the DIY route for most repairs within their home.

While DIY is a great idea for many projects, there must be a limit. For instance, there are some projects that you shouldn’t try on your own especially if you don’t have the professional training and experience to successfully carry them out. One such project is repairing bowed basement walls.

Basement Wall DIY repair is a bad idea

The introduction of foundation repair kits is quite misleading. Many people believe that they can carry out foundation repairs on their own. However, even the most skilled DIYer shouldn’t attempt to repair bowed basement walls for the following reasons:

Structural evaluation

When your basement walls are bowing or cracked, a structural evaluation of the walls is vital. This evaluation by a structural engineer tells you just how bad the situation is. It also tells you what’s causing the bowing and the best solution for your particular situation.

If you attempt to repair the walls on your own, you’re likely to skip this step. This means you’re not likely to apply the right or best solution.

Carbon fiber kits can’t fix everything

Carbon fiber kits are generally the go-to repair kits for DIYers intending to repair their basement walls on their own. However, these kits are not always the best solution. A professional will take accurate measurements and tell you just how much the wall has moved. In this case, it may have moved too much for you to apply a carbon fiber kit successfully.

You may skip some important steps

There are some vital steps that are not mentioned in many kits or shown on instructional videos. Professionals with the right training have the skills and experience to ensure that all crucial steps are applied in the repair of bowed basement walls.

You may have to spend more money to fix the problem

Many DIYers are motivated by the prospect of saving a lot of money by doing the repair themselves. However, in many cases, the problem worsens and requires even more intensive repair. By this time, it will cost much more to hire a professional to correct the mistakes made and repair the problem in the end. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a professional in the first place.

Your safety is at risk

There are various safety concerns when repairing bowed walls. You may put your life and the lives of those living in your home at risk by attempting to do it on your own. Rather, professionals will ensure safety precautions are taken into account and that the job is done correctly to ensure that your home is safe for the long term.

What Sets StablWall Apart From Everyone Else

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StablWall is designed to strengthen the foundations of any building it is installed in. Through using strands of carbon fiber bound together and running in the same direction, the walls are strengthened and become more durable than ever before.

The reason why it’s so powerful is because it differs from other carbon fiber products in a number of ways.

Flexibility over Solidity

Steel plates and other carbon fiber products are rigid. They’re simply attached to the wall and provide no give. This makes the wall weaker and is likely to crack the material. StablWall is flexible and conforms to whatever surface it happens to be working with. This has the benefits of:

  • Providing more give.
  • Allows it to work with multiple surfaces.
  • Increase overall wall strength.

Customizable Direction

Most clients prefer to use this new wall system to solve already existing cracks. Each sheet can be installed over any crack in any direction. In terms of installation, this allows it to cover a greater range of scenarios. Other systems can only be installed vertically.

What about Price?

Other types of carbon fiber are more expensive. If you decide to use StablWall with a bigger building, you’ll make greater savings than expected. When rated against all types of wall strengthening systems, it’s one of the more affordable options.

Impregnation

The strips are impregnated directly onto the desired area of the wall. Other systems will use pre-prepared straps. This only leads to weaker bonding. It’s due to the belief that mixing on-site is a messy business, which is a common misconception.

All Types of Construction

There are no restrictions when it comes to the type of wall you can use this system with. Some of the walls you can use it with include poured concrete, brick, stone, block, and clay tile.

But we always recommend calling in the help of a professional to decide on the right solution for you. Every building has its own set of unique needs and requirements.

Conclusion

Whilst this is a relatively new option for owners of property, it’s also one of the most successful ones. It’s already gained critical acclaim and has successfully demonstrated its qualities through results-based tests.

However, it’s important to mention that it’s not always the best option for every building. You may have a unique scenario that calls for an alternative solution. Paying for a professional inspection will ultimately give you better results and more peace of mind.

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4 Huge Misconceptions about Foundation Repair in Columbus OH 43085

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Foundation Repair in Columbus OH 43085

The foundations of a home are the difference between a beautiful place to live and a pile of rubble. Whenever you spot a problem with the foundations of your home, you must act immediately. But things aren’t always what they seem.

Don’t make these four mistakes when considering your options for foundation repair in Columbus OH 43085 or it could cost you a lot of money.

  1. The Foundation isn’t Always the Problem

It’s easy to think every issue with the foundation has something to do with the foundation. This isn’t always the case.

Sometimes it’s to do with the soil underneath the main slab. If the soil moves underneath, so does the foundation, and that’s why you start to see cracks as the concrete above is pulled apart.

  1. Water is a Variable

Foundations always follow how the soil moves. If the soil dehydrates or desiccates, then it’s either going to contract or expand. Hydration is what impacts the soil and the foundations. The type of foundation and the location of your home influences whether you start to see damage within a few years of building your home.

  1. Voids are Not a Problem

Many people think that voids are a major cause of foundation repair in Columbus OH 43085. Filling the voids is a pointless money-wasting exercise.

Your home should have most of the loads resting on the concrete slabs, which have beams around the outer edges. This forms a grid pattern. This is where the house is resting, rather than on the areas where you may find voids.

  1. Cracks Don’t Represent the Source

Each time the foundations move you will start to see cracks. They can be big or small. But a crack is actually a type of hinge. It’s a point of movement for the foundation. It’s nothing to do with where the house has moved because you could see movement at one end of the home yet see a crack at the opposite end.

The issue is the source of the crack not the crack itself.

Conclusion

To know about these issues, you should have the help of a competent builder. They should already be aware of these four misconceptions. Do your homework and research the various contractors in your area before you part with any money.

When foundation repair in Columbus OH 43085 goes wrong it can quite easily cost you thousands of dollars. Proper research, and a home insurance policy, protects you against this.

When Should You Consider Foundation Crack Repair?

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Foundation crack repair can be expensive. Whenever you’re dealing with something as important as the foundations of your house, you need to act fast, and it’s going to cost.

But what a lot of people don’t realize is that a simple crack in say, the outer plaster, isn’t a cause for concern. So when should a foundation crack should worry you?

How wide?

The first test is to measure how wide the crack is; measure from the widest point of a crack with a simple tape measure.

If it’s any wider than 1/16 inch, you have to act. This is too wide and can let in both water and termites. If it’s smaller than this, simply monitor it over the course of a few months.

Even if it doesn’t reach this 1/16 inch limit, you should opt for repair if there’s any change in the width. It’s worrying even if a 1/32 inch crack turns into a 1/20 crack.

Is it wet?

If a crack admits water, foundation crack repair is a necessity before it causes too much damage. It won’t take long for moisture to cause permanent damage to your home.

Moisture damage is one of the most common causes of serious foundation problems. You often can’t spot the extent of the internal damage. The only way to see it is to notice the wetness on the outside, where it admits water.

Grinding

Sometimes a crack’s faces can begin to grind against each other based on changes in the environment. Here are the two primary environmental changes that might influence this:

  • Temperature
  • Humidity

Check for these changes over a couple of seasons when you notice the first signs of a crack. If there’s no impact, the crack probably isn’t as serious as you think.

Should you repair minor cracks?

As you can see, it isn’t always necessary to act immediately. Minor cracks can be monitored to see how they change over time.

We still recommend taking care of cracks as soon as possible, though. The reason for this is it’s always cheaper to solve the problem as soon as you notice it. The cost of repair goes up every time the crack grows in severity.

Furthermore, solving the problem early ensures that the damage to your home’s foundations is minimal. Too many people have waited and the problem has cost them thousands in repairs. Don’t be one of them. Get help from a foundation repair expert today!

Utilizing StablWall in Houston TX 77001 For A Hassle-Free Fix In Your Basement Or Crawlspace

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Let’s say you’re downstairs in your basement doing laundry, watching the kids play, or working in your home office. Suddenly, you notice a glaring crack in one or more of the walls either running horizontally or stair-stepping down to the foundation. Every home owner dreads this as it is typically a prelude to future problems with your walls, foundation, and more. However, you don’t have to start mentally preparing yourself for a full-scale basement wall remodel because there is now an alternative fix for your bowing, cracking, or shifting wall- StablWall!

The StablWall system utilizes super strong sheets of carbon to brace the wall, successfully preventing it from deteriorating further. “How is this possible?” you may ask. It’s because of the innate and unmatched strength of pure carbon. In fact, when carbon fibers are woven to run parallel of each other, they have been found to be stronger than steel! This is why carbon is a go-to material for building;

  • Aircrafts
  • Motorcycles
  • Boat Hulls
  • Racing Bikes
  • Car Parts
  • Space Shuttles
  • Helicopters
  • Even Bullet-Proof Vests

Carbon is also extensively used in construction to reinforce concrete bridges, parking structures, roads, high-rise buildings, and tunnels.

The StablWall system works by securing the bowing or cracked wall with 2′ x 5′ sheets of woven carbon fiber sandwiched between two layers of super strong epoxy. The result is a discrete yet highly effective repair to the effected wall at a fraction of the cost of removing the wall or using traditional repair methods. StablWall is also so easy to install, a homeowner can DIY this project in less than a day. StablWall in Houston TX 77001 isn’t just for making repairs; it’s also excellent for bracing basement walls prior to renovations.

If you’re a homeowner or a contractor and would like to know more about our StablWall repair system, we invite you to visit our website. You may also contact us directly with any questions we may not have covered on our webpage.

4 Essential Factors You Need to Know about Bowed Basement Walls

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A few years after moving into your new home, it is improbable to contemplate any danger to this precious investment. After so many sacrifices this feeling is understandable but unfortunately, professionals in the building sector have a different view.

They say knowledge is power and to protect your home remember these facts about dealing with bowed basement walls:

  1. Shocking Foundation Problem Figures

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development posits that over 56% of new homes experience foundation problems within the first ten years of construction. The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) adds that over 60% of these problems involve bowed basement walls.

Yes, you must be shaking your head because this is an invisible problem which makes things even worse. Indeed, the National Association of Realtors ® reports that over 97% of homeowners are not aware of problems festering in their home’s foundations.

  1. Causes of Bowed Basement Walls

You can only deal with construction problems if you know the cause. One major culprit is lateral and hydrostatic pressure caused by moisture. After construction a lot of virgin soil is used around your foundation and when it floods water pressure pushes against the wall.

Natural settling of your house due to weight adds to this pressure and with time bowing of these walls occurs. Other problems include poor construction, soil fatigue, and structural damage to the foundation among others. Your professional foundation contractor will help identify the main cause of the bowing before remedying it.

  1. Leveraging Professional Expertise

Forget your DIY experience because only a certified contractor has prerequisite skills, resources, and equipment to work on your foundation. This is your most expensive investment and if you try tampering with its foundation you risk a cave-in which would be devastating. These experts also offer advice on caring for your foundation to avoid further damage.

  1. Effective Solutions to Bowing Foundation Walls

Once a contractor has examined the bowing walls, he will identify the main cause and formulate a way to deal with further foundation damage. Contemporary solutions include but are not limited to:

  1. CARBON FIBER: These strips are less costly than steel but provide unbreakable support for your walls.
  2. Helical anchors: These involve drilling of holes in the basement wall into the soil beyond before driving in anchors and holding the wall with metal plates.
  3. Steel beams reinforcement: This involves jack hammering the floor along the foundation walls where these beams will be laid.

There are many other wall anchorage systems available for bowed basement walls but you will not have to worry about the best. A professional contractor has it all covered for you.

Time to Secure Your Biggest Investment by Understanding Foundation Wall Repair in Charlotte NC 28201

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You have saved painstakingly for the last two decades and now you have a new home. One year down the line, when taking a proud inspection of your home, you notice cracks along the walls. After some research, you discover that you have an issue involving foundation wall repair in Charlotte NC 28201 and need some professional work done.

Speedy Resolution

While your reaction will definitely be panic, you need to try and relax, get insight on the problem and then use an expert contractor to sort the issue. Quite understandably the information you have gathered points to the gravity of the structural problem at hand and prompt action is called.

Foundation Cracks in Detail

Foundation cracks, according to experts, are caused by hydrostatic pressure caused by water pressing against these walls to a point of exceeding their capacity. This problem indicates a bigger underlying problem, which is the compromising of your home’s structural integrity.

Specific problems that precipitate these dangerous cracks include:

  • Heavy rains and inadequate grading leading to soil expansion around the foundation walls.
  • Expansive clays and frost can lead to wall fatigue leading to bowing under pressure.
  • Poor drainage, especially due to ineffective gutters and downspouts, leading to inadequate drainage of rain runoff makes the soils around the foundation heavier.

With increased lateral pressure caused by soil loads and other factors, the original capability of a foundation wall to resist is surpassed and the seemingly harmless cracks are just a step in a process that can eventually lead to caving in of your treasured jewel, your home.

Telltale Signs

Due to different structural designs, it might not be possible to notice a compromised foundation immediately. However, you should look out for other alarm bells including:

  • Walls leaning in at the top which is direct effect of bowing at the foundation.
  • Stair-step and horizontal cracks caused by excessive lateral pressure, which the foundation wall cannot handle.
  • Diagonal cracks at the corner positions.
  • Bulging along foundation walls at the bottom.
  • Furniture not sitting flush with the walls and paintings not hanging properly.

Capitalizing On Professional Expertise in Foundation Wall Repair in Charlotte NC 28201

Now that you understand what is behind your foundation problems, it is time to get working and get it sorted promptly. For starters, you need to appreciate that specialized skills and equipment in foundation wall repair are required to diagnose and correct the underlying issues. Extensive excavation is also involved before temporary supports are put in place as the wall is rebuilt. Some of the supports used include steel beam reinforcements, carbon fiber strips installations through the walls, use of sealants such as epoxy, and foundations wall anchors.

Your contractor will determine the extent of damage before deciding the reinforcement to apply. Remember, ignoring these minor cracks is courting disaster.

5 Main Reasons to Leverage Carbon Fiber Beams in Foundation Repair

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5 Main Reasons to Leverage Carbon Fiber Beams in Foundation Repair

As much as you try to keep renovating and redesigning your home, there are those areas where only an expert can provide effective solutions. One such area is in foundation cracking repair projects.

With the National Association of Realtors® reporting over 90% of new homes encounter foundation damage within the first 10 years, it is imperative to know how you can tackle such problems.

Introducing Carbon Fiber in Foundation Repair

A study by National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) among contractors rates carbon fiber beams at 90% in terms of efficiency. As a conscious homeowner, you need to get insight into reasons this product has been creating a buzz in foundation and basement wall repair over the last two decades.

With NARI® and other construction experts cautioning about the impact of a damaged foundation, it is a no-brainer that this is the product you want to use for your repair. Such insight is invaluable when planning with your foundation contractor on how to go about such repairs.

Pros of Carbon Fiber Beams

During foundation repair, you want value for money through application of durable solutions. Do carbon fiber beams provide such a solution? Take a look at some pros:

  1. Internal Bonding Strength

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) technology is used to make these beams from nylon fiber baked over 3,000 degrees to make carbon fiber. The resulting material is composed of a long carbon atom chain with strong bonding with a modulus of 20msi and tensile strength of 500ksi higher than aluminum and other metals.

  1. Easy Installation

Once the underlying cause of foundation cracking is rectified, the area where carbon fiber beam strips will cover is ground flat. A bed of high strength epoxy is laid and the contractor embeds the beam on the epoxy under pressure and the project is done. With no excavations, your project will be done before you know it.

  1. Tensile Strength

When repairing foundation cracks, you need a material that won’t allow movement once it sets. Steel beams have an elongation of 6% while carbon fiber beams only elongate to 1.5%, meaning more enhanced protection for your foundation.

  1. Aesthetic Touch

Carbon fiber strips, once applied to a wall, barely show because the material conforms to the walls. This means you will not devalue your property with ugly bumps that make your foundation suspect.

  1. Low Maintenance Cost

With carbon fiber beams, you will not have to worry about rusting and other costly maintenance costs, making this a perfect choice in foundation repair.

The incredible strength of carbon fiber, brought on by suitable strength to weight ratio, guarantees you lasting foundation repair. What’s more, you will save a lot and there aren’t a lot of inconveniences to deal with during the project.

4 Major Causes of Bowing Walls in Chicago IL 60290

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What is the one major aspiration that most people have in common? Most likely you have thought of owning a dream home and you are right. Having a roof over your head which you rightfully own is up there in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. For this reason anything that threatens your home has to be dealt with promptly.

Latent Foundation Damage Risk

Your home’s foundation is the underpinning of your whole structure and if there are any problems down there you risk losing your valuable investment over time. Bowing walls according to Foundation Repair Association Inc (FRA) constitute about 60% of foundation problems in U.S homes.

Unfortunately, it is not easy to detect problems with your foundation until it is too late. For this reason you need to be on the lookout for problems in locking and opening doors and windows, leaning wall hangings among other issues.

Major Culprits in Bowing Walls in Chicago IL 60290

To manage any problem you have to know the causes and this applies to bowing walls which is indicative of a much bigger problem. This will help you in determining the best repair method.

Some common causes of bowing walls in Chicago IL 60290 include:

  1. Soil Settling

During construction a lot of excavation is done and later most of this soil is used to fill the area around the foundation. If foundation footers are on loose soil, there will be an adverse effect when such soil settles due to weight. The immediate impact is of course a bowing wall which only an experienced foundation contractor can repair.

  1. Water Pressure

A report by International Association of Foundation Drilling (ISFD) in 2010 says that 89% of all foundation problems are caused by water issues. Water pressure can push upwards to cause hydrostatic pressure or laterally and this leads to cracking and eventually bowing of walls. Excessive moisture in the soil around the foundation leads to gradual pressure which if unchecked can damage your house’s foundation.

  1. Vegetation Roots

Trees and bushes around your foundation can cause devastating damage because roots extend a long way horizontally and downwards. Such pressure leads to bowing, bulging and eventually cracking and all these compromise the integrity of your foundation.

  1. Poor Construction

Rushed construction and inadequate checks during pouring of foundation concrete will definitely lead to debilitating effects on your foundation walls. With time, this will show in form of bowing walls.

A qualified foundation contractor will recommend solutions such as steel beam foundation reinforcement, carbon fiber beams and helical anchors among other innovative solutions.

It might be a hackneyed saying but remember a stitch in time saves nine; why jeopardize your home when you can hire a foundation contractor to start corrective structural solutions today?