bowing basement walls

[Steve Bakken]

Our house is a 1952 and one of the basement walls is bowed in about 3 inches and cracked at ground level. Right where the driveway runs along the house. The causes are a no-brainer, which method to fix it is another story. We've had several proposals, all with different theories on how to fix it. I'd like to hear from some of you who've already been there and what worked or didn't work.

[RobertELee]

My Grandma's house did the same thing about 8 years ago. I believe they had to dig up the wall and lay a whole new one.

[sparcebag]

The best method I've seen is a large bolt with steel plates on the inside of walls.the exterior dug up a deadman set(anchor) 6-8ft.from house it ties to bolt & plate.they push on itside wall with shoring and slowly tighten bolts till wall is back to close to what it was.It isnt pretty but it does work.Try looking up basement Shoreing.I believe other methods-(removal replace)can be done if ya want to pay!

[TwinkeeDink]

The above method is exactly what is in my house. Same scenario, driveway wall. When they poured the new driveway right before I bought the place, they put in the anchor system with 3 on the wall. It requires testing with a torque wrench every 1-2 yrs.

[Valv]

Very interesting, I am in the same "boat" Steve...

What is cost of bolt and anchor ?

[SCUMFROG]

I'm looking for a new house and have seen that in a place we looked at. But there is nothing out side of the house that would cause it to do that. I liked the house but not why the walls doing that. What could be the problem with this place?

[Valv]

At my place the cause is poor engineering when built it.

They used concrete blocks but didn't pour concrete to keep them together.

My son in law has a solid reinforced concrete wall all around basement and never had (or will) have a problem.

Cost is 3 times more but it pays off at the end.

Anyway the reason why it bow it's poor drainage, rain water seeps into ground, winter comes, freeze expands ground, weakest point are your walls, and they bow.

I had to dig my basement out, install a rubber membrane on outside, put a new drain tile all around bottom, pour 2 ft of pea size gravel, then fill the last foot with dirt and landscape so water drainage flows away from house.

Still I have to fix my walls, that's why I am interested in a price ballpark. I have the equipment to do it myself, but if price is not unreasonable I might have a contractor do it for me, less hassles.

[Tman2]

I was working a homeshow last year and was acroos the aisle from a guy who does this. I seem to remember the price as being reasonable and him telling me that you need to get permits and inspections. I asked him what the inspector would know to look at, he said they don't, and they had never had a failed inspection. He explained the process to me, and I'm extremely handy, but I didn't think it was something I could just do on my own (as my Mom-in-laws house needs it).

Tman

[sparcebag]

Tman I was a state Inspector,and yes inspectors dont know much about this process.Thats why it needs to be engineered and spec.sheets presented to the building Dept.With an engineers stamp and signature.Concerns are soil type,block size and construction,permiability,which determines Anchor size and anchor distance from wall.A home owner could do it if they can read engineers calcs.and have spec sheet prepared by an engineer.