Wall Anchor Installation in Altamont, IL

Monday, June 27th, 2016 by Jordan Link

Challenge

Matt H. was experiencing numerous cracks on his basement walls. Some of these cracks moved diagonally down the walls, while others moved horizontally, suggesting settling and expanding soils surrounded the home. Soils around the home always apply pressure to the basement walls, but nothing relieves that pressure on the other side. Systems Design Specialist Aaron Moore came to diagnose the problem and design a solution based on the needs of Matt H.

Solution

The home did have sufficient room around the home, allowing for the use of Geo-Lock™ wall anchors to complete the project. If there was not sufficient room around the home, the PowerBrace® System would have to be used. The wall anchors are the preferred solution, typically requiring 11 feet or more of open space from the outside of the home.

The wall anchor system was installed by foreman Jeremy Raby and his team. Before the installation process began, the team dug holes around the home where the earth anchors would be placed. The team carefully drilled these holes, ensuring the soil removed could be replaced, and that the ground around the holes was not disturbed.

In the basement, small holes about one inch in diameter were drilled through the wall, where metal rods were pushed through until they reached the holes dug in the yard. Once the rods reached the holes, the earth anchors were secured to the rods and the holes were filled with the removed soil. Returning to the basement, the rods protruding from the walls were covered with metal plates, secured with a large nut, which stabilized the wall as it was tightened.

The cleanup process included replacing all dirt removed from the drilled holes and also replacing all sod, which was carefully groomed to blend in to the rest of the yard.

This particular home did not need its basement walls straightened, but the wall anchors have the possibility of returning walls to their vertical positions by tightening the nut on the metal plates.

Now, Matt H. has basement walls that are permanently reinforced, that are able to withstand the pressures from the soils outside.

Project Summary

Systems Design Specialist: Aaron Moore

Primary Foreman: Jeremy Raby

In this corner, there are two cracks, one going horizontal on the left, and a diagonal crack on the right going left to the floor. They are minor, but would only get larger if left alone.

In this photo, it is hardly visible, but there is a long diagonal crack going from the ceiling to the floor, which would become easily visible if left unnoticed.

Here is another crack, this time from the window to the floor, moving diagonally.

With the wall anchors installed, this relieves the pressure applied from the soils outside the home.

This homeowner had cracks on all of his basement walls, requiring the use of wall anchors around the entire basement.

Note: Installing the wall anchors is a permanent fix, while applying sealants and paint will only hide the problem for a little longer, before it requires a more expensive solution.

About the author

Jordan Link

Jordan Link lives in the St. Louis Metro-East area and serves as a Marketing Specialist for an industry-leading home improvement contractor and as a Sales Trainer for a multi-national retail corporation. Jordan provides quality email marketing campaigns and web content that transcend the competition, inspire clients, and develop new business.

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Wall Anchor Installation in Altamont, IL

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