Causes of Wall Failure and the Best Repair Solution

Causes of wall failure trace all the way back to when the home was first constructed.  During construction, a hole is dug for the basement and the footing is poured.  The concrete block wall (or other foundation type) is then built on top of the footing.  The support beams and flooring system are installed, and the dirt is backfilled with loose soil.  This loose soil that surrounds the basement walls contains voids and air pockets, even if it is well compacted.  This makes an easier path for water to flow down into the soil.  As the backfill soil gets wet, it expands, putting lateral pressure on the foundation walls.  This is what causes foundation walls to bow.

There are 4 phases of wall failure: horizontal cracking, stair-step cracking, shearing, and caving in.  The horizontal cracking occurs when the backfilled soil expands and pushes up against the foundation wall.  Then stair-step cracks form on the edges of the horizontal crack.  When continued pressure causes the wall to lean in, shearing occurs.  This can be a major problem and may be a costly fix if the problem is not taken care of quickly.  The final stage of the wall caving is extremely expensive and disruptive, which is why it is important to solve the problem before it gets that severe.

The best option for wall failure repair is the Geo-Lock Wall Anchor System.  This provides the best odds of permanent stabilization and the ability to straighten the wall over time.  Also, no heavy equipment is required inside the home, making this the quickest and most efficient solution compared to other products.

First, a small hole is drilled into the foundation wall.  This hole is easy to seal because it is so small, so water leaking in is not a problem.  Sod is removed and a hole is dug in stable soil outside of the home.  A ¾” galvanized steel rod is then driven through the wall and out into the hole.  A galvanized Geo-Lock wall anchor is placed down inside the hole and is connected to the steel rod.  On the inside of the home, a heavy-duty wall plate is installed over the steel rod.

The wall plates are specifically engineered to make contact with 8 of the concrete blocks on the foundation wall in order to distribute holding forces effectively.  Also, the wall plates are 14 ½” wide so they fit on a 16” center stud in a standard basement.  Installation is completed by replacing the dirt and sod and tightening the system.  Geo-Lock Wall Anchors provide the best opportunity to continuously straighten the walls over time and permanently stabilize the foundation walls.

Woods Basement Systems, Inc. offers many superior foundation stabilization and repair products that are designed by engineers and backed by warranties.  In Greater St. Louis and throughout Illinois & Missouri, we offer foundation repair in many areas including Springfield, St. Louis, St. Charles and surrounding towns.  We offer free no-obligation quotes.