Bowed Walls
What Are Bowed Foundation Walls?
Bowed walls are the result of external pressure on your foundation wall that causes it to "bow" or deflect inwards. The cause for that pressure can be the result of one or more things: hydrostatic pressure, frozen soil, or heavy objects.​
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Causes
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Hydrostatic pressure: This is the pressure exerted by water-saturated soil against the foundation walls. When the soil around your home absorbs water from rain, snow, or poor drainage, it expands and pushes against the walls. This can cause them to bow inward over time. Hydrostatic pressure is more severe in areas with clay-rich soil, which is more prone to swelling and shrinking.
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Frozen soil: When the soil near the surface freezes, it also expands and creates pressure on the foundation walls. This can affect the upper part of the walls, especially if they are not properly insulated or protected from frost heave.
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Heavy objects: Placing heavy items on the ground near the foundation walls can also create downward and outward pressure on the soil, which can transfer to the walls. Examples of heavy objects include vehicles, equipment, dumpsters, or large piles of snow.
How We Repair Bowing Basement Walls
Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber is used to repair a bowed wall by applying a sheet or a strap of carbon fiber material to the interior side of the wall, coated with a strong epoxy resin.
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The carbon fiber bonds to the wall and provides reinforcement and stability, preventing further bowing and cracking.
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Carbon fiber is 10 times stronger than steel and does not corrode or deteriorate over time. It's also less invasive and less expensive than other methods, such as wall anchors.
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We use Rhino's carbon fiber solutions. They offer fantastic products with
Rebar Pop
Sometimes horizontal cracking includes rebar pop, which is a type of concrete spalling that occurs when the reinforcing steel bars (rebar) in the basement foundation walls rust and expand, causing the concrete to crack and fall off. Rebar pop can expose the rebar to further corrosion and water damage, as well as compromise the structural integrity of the wall.
Rebar pop can happen due to several reasons, but all are the result of water and oxygen exposure leading to rusting of the rebar.
Why Carbon Fiber?
The benefits of installing carbon fiber as a wall reinforcement, including:
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It's a cost-effective solution compared to more intrusive repairs such as wall tie-backs
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Carbon fiber straps are 10x stronger than steel and they won't corrode or weaken over time.
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They're a low-profile solution that won't interfere with future framing, insulation, wall paneling the basement.
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They can be painted to help them blend into the foundation.
Non-Carbon Fiber Repairs
Warranty
We offer a 2-year workmanship warranty on carbon fiber strap installations that they'll be free from any workmanship defects. In addition, Rhino offers their own warranty as the manufacture of the carbon fiber straps.