FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
SUBSCRIBE TODAY

Save up to

70% off

the cover price

In-depth articles, up-close photography, and detailed illustrations in every issue.

Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Bulging basement wall needs to be fixed. Not sure about method foundation company suggested.

BasementBroke9891 | Posted in General Discussion on January 27, 2021 03:42pm

There is only one company in my area that does foundation work. My basement wall is bulging out. Likely exacerbated by recent extreme flooding.

Their solution is to put two columns of 16″x16″ rebar and concrete next to the wall (the height of the wall). The rebar will be drilled into the floor. They will not be attached to the ceiling. It will cost $1500.

I can’t figure it if this is a usual method. Most of what I see is carbon fiber straps and anchors. 

Has anyone used this method? Are there other methods I should look ask about?

Reply

Replies

  1. FSmyles | Jan 27, 2021 09:40pm | #1

    A. They are basically buttressing the wall.

    B. Who calculated the solution? Structural engineer?

    C. How thick is the slab? In my experience, the column rebar needs to be integrated with the floor slab rebar and the floor slab needs to be 12" thick.

    D. The solution still doesn't address the cause. That's where my focus would be directed. Redirect the water.

    Frankie

    1. BasementBroke9891 | Jan 27, 2021 10:03pm | #2

      The company calculated it. There is not a structural engineer in my area. It would be two slabs that are 16in by 16in.

  2. josh_s_5 | Feb 03, 2021 03:00pm | #3

    I’ve heard of others doing it, but not sure how successful it was. It sounds like they’re looking out for your wallet by going with the cheapest method. It might stop the bowing, but not any existing water intrusion. There are a few routes you can go with this, depending on your goal and budget. If you just want to stop movement, don’t want to spend a lot, and don’t care about water intrusion, carbon fiber straps would be a similar alternative. You can probably do those yourself. If you want to actually want to put the wall back to level and waterproof, you would probably want to use something like gorilla braces to slowly crank the wall level. That is, after you have excavated the outside to remove what likely is expansive clay soil that caused the bow to begin with, repair mortar cracks, and any other waterproofing steps you want to take. That will fix your wall and water intrusion, but will be more cost and effort.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat

Avoid costly mistakes and failure-prone fixes with these in-floor heat best practices for bathrooms.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 471: Members-only Aftershow
  • Podcast 471: Adding Outsulation, Sealing Leaky Bump-Outs, and HVAC for a Shed Office
  • Schneider Electric Recalls Line of Electrical Panels
  • Podcast 470: PRO TALK With Builder Mike Knoche

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?
  • Issue 304 - Dec 2021/Jan 2022
    • Why You Need Blower-Door Testing
    • Passive-House Standards for Everyone
    • Window Replacement With a Side of Rot Repair

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Sign Up See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in