Omaha's Local Bowing Wall Repair Experts

With most types of foundation problems, the concern is settlement. Bowing basement or foundation walls, however, stem from a different issue. The structural concerns are no less severe, however.

The most common cause of bowing walls is hydrostatic pressure. This type of pressure takes place when exterior water presses against the foundation wall, causing excessive force and eventually leading to wall cracking and bowing. Walls can also begin to bow from soil expansion and contraction or landscaping interference as well.

How to Tell If You Have a Bowing Basement Wall

The first clue of a bowing wall usually is a horizontal crack running either across a poured concrete wall or along one of the mortar joints of a concrete block wall.

While small vertical cracks can sometimes stem from minor settlement issues not rising to the level of foundation failure, horizontal cracks are generally concerning.

If you believe the wall might be bowing, you can drop a plumb line from the crack to determine if the wall is bowing inward and to what degree.

Problems Bowing Walls Cause

bowed walls Chances are, if your wall is cracked and bowing, the problem is only going to get worse if not fixed.

In the short term, the crack can be a means for water to seep into your basement. In the long term, the wall could eventually give way.

How to Repair Bowing Walls

At Jerry's Waterproofing, we have three different methods that we use to repair bowing basement walls. This allows us to match the repair to your specific home as well as the degree of damage to your wall.

Helical Tiebacks

Helical tiebacks consist of a steel rod with helical plates attached to give it the appearance of a giant screw. The tieback is screwed into the ground and attached to the inside of the foundation wall by a wall plate.

The tieback anchors the wall in place, using the soil itself to counteract the force being applied on the wall.

Plate Anchors

Plate anchors operate similarly to helical tiebacks, but with no helical plate. Instead the rod is sunk into the ground a predetermined distance. A small excavation is then made to attach a plate to the end of the pier to anchor it in the ground. The excavation is then refilled.

Carbon Fiber Straps

Unlike helical tiebacks and plate anchors, bowing wall repair with carbon fiber straps occurs entirely within your basement with no excavations in your yard. The carbon fiber straps, which have a greater tensile strength to weight ratio than steel, are installed via an epoxy at intervals vertically along the bowing wall. The straps provide the strength for the wall to withstand the pressure without further bowing, allowing us to repair the crack to prevent water from seeping in.

Seeking a Bowing Wall Repair Contractor Near You? Contact Jerry's Waterproofing

No matter the cause of your bowed walls, Jerry's Waterproofing professionals can help. One of our professional foundation repair contractors will take time evaluating your home's foundation, both interior and exterior, looking for all the signs of foundation failure. We will then work with you to permanently repair your foundation. Contact us today to learn more.