Best Foundation Repair for Bowing Walls (4 Proven Methods)

The best foundation repair for bowing walls depends on the severity of the bowing, the exterior and interior space, and the homeowners' budget. Carbon fiber straps are cost-effective and work best when bowing is minimal. Wall anchors and helical tiebacks work for moderate and severe bowing but require yard space. Steel I-beams provide immediate stabilization and are perfect when there’s no space. 

We’ll dive into how each method works in detail, the pros and cons of each, why your walls bow, and signs to look out for.

If you need a professional assessment in North Carolina, call Functional Foundations at (252) 648-6476 to get a free consultation and estimate.

Method 1: Carbon Fiber Straps

Best for minor bowing walls and for budget repair

Carbon fiber strap reinforcement is the best foundation repair method for minimally bowed walls with a bow of less than 2 inches. It doesn’t straighten the wall. Instead, it holds it in place and prevents any further movement due to soil pressure. 

This method uses high-strength carbon fiber straps that bond directly to the inside of the foundation wall. Installers clean and prepare the wall surface, apply industrial epoxies about 4 feet apart, press carbon fiber straps into each epoxy, and then allow them to cure. Once hardened, the carbon straps become bonded to the wall. In fact, you can paint over the straps.

It’s the most cost-effective method because it doesn’t require any excavation. However, this method should be used only when the wall is structurally sound, and the goal is simply to stop bowing.

Pros

• No excavation required

• Fast installation process

• Does not require extra space

• Will not rust or corrode

• Budget-friendly

Cons

• Does not straighten bowed walls

• Only works for minimal bows less than 2 inches

• Does not reduce outside soil pressure on the foundation

Method 2: Deadman Wall Anchors

Best for moderate to severe bowing walls and for straightening

When wall bowing exceeds 2 inches and is caused by shifting soil pressure, installers may consider using wall anchors to repair it. Deadman wall anchors are a permanent method for repairing leaning walls, straightening the wall over time, and reducing bowing. It works by transferring the pressure on the foundation into the surrounding soil.

Steel plates are mounted inside the foundation wall. Deadman anchors are buried 10 feet outside the property, and rods connect the interior steel plates to the exterior anchors. Over time, technicians tighten the rods to straighten the wall. This process pulls the wall back toward its original position over time. Adjustments are done slowly to avoid cracking or sudden stress.

This method works best when the bowing is caused by lateral soil pressure, indicated by sudden horizontal cracks in the foundation, or when the wall visibly leans inward. However, for this method to be effective, the house has to have an external space of about 10 feet. If there’s not much space or property lines block it, other methods will have to be considered.

Pros

• Can straighten and stabilize bowed walls

• Relieves the soil pressure on the foundation

• Long-lasting structural support

• Works for moderate to severe bowing

Cons

• Requires space outside the property

• Uses some excavation and is more invasive than carbon straps

• Not suitable for unstable exterior soil

Method 3: Steel I-Beams or H-Beams

Best for severe bowing and for wall stabilizations

When a wall has severe bowing, and there’s not enough exterior space for wall anchors, steel I- or H-beams may be used. This method immediately stops the wall from bowing any further from lateral pressure and provides immediate stabilization.

The steel beams are installed on the interior side of the foundation wall. Each beam runs from the floor slab up to the floor joists above. Once in place, the beam holds the wall in position and resists lateral pressure. The goal is that when outside soil pressure pushes the foundation wall, the steel beams will carry some of the load. The choice between I and H beams depends on the load to be carried and the wall conditions.

This method works when there is no exterior space for wall anchors, and it doesn’t require any excavation. However, it takes up space inside the basement walls, and it does not straighten the wall; it only stops the bowing. It also can’t be used if the wall has severe structural damage. Still, it provides immediate wall stabilization over the long term.

Pros

• Immediate stabilization

• No excavation required

• Works for severe wall bowing

• Doesn’t require yard space

Cons

• Requires interior space

• Doesn’t correct soil pressure

• It is not suitable for wall straightening

Method 4: Helical Tiebacks

Best for immediate correction and for severe bowing

Helical tiebacks are the best method if your wall has severe bowing and you’re looking for an immediate correction. Just as wall anchors do, helical tiebacks correct wall bowing by transferring lateral pressure back to the surrounding soil. But it’s different in several ways.

First, Helical tiebacks are steel shafts with screw-like plates at one end. Installers drill holes from inside the basement wall and then drive the steel shafts through the holes and into the ground using hydraulic equipment. Then they install helical plates in the basement wall, which pull the tieback into deeper, more stable soil until the tieback reaches proper resistance. Adjustments are done gradually to straighten the wall and prevent cracking or sudden movement.

Just as with anchors, helical tiebacks are used when exterior yard space is available. In fact, sometimes the steel shafts extend up to 21 feet into the soil. Still, helical tiebacks provide immediate wall straightening, faster than wall anchors.

Pros

• Stabilize and straighten severely bowed walls

• Transfers pressure back to stable soil

• Long-lasting and adjustable over time

• Provides strong lateral support

Cons

• Requires external yard space

• More invasive than I-Beams or Carbon Fibers

• Expensive bowing wall repair method

What Causes Bowing Walls?

Lateral forces from hydrostatic pressure cause bowed walls. And hydrostatic pressure occurs when water accumulates in the soil around your foundation, gradually pushing the walls inward and causing them to bow. 

The following factors lead to an increase in hydrostatic pressure:

• Expansive soil: Some types of soil, especially clay, swell when they absorb water and shrink when they dry out. When soil expands, it exerts pressure on the foundation wall. Repeated wet-dry cycles increase this pressure and weaken the wall over time.

• Poor drainage: When water collects around the foundation, hydrostatic pressure builds up. This pressure pushes directly against the wall. Clogged gutters and short downspouts direct water toward the foundation instead of away from it.

• Freeze-thaw cycles: In colder climates, soil water freezes and expands. As it thaws, the soil shifts. This repeated movement places stress on foundation walls and can lead to cracking and inward movement.

• Back-fill soil: After construction, soil around the foundation is often loosely packed. Over time, this soil settles and absorbs water more easily, increasing pressure against the wall.

• Structural factors: Long foundation walls, thin masonry, or walls without proper reinforcement are more vulnerable to bowing. When these walls are subjected to constant soil pressure, they are more likely to move.

Get the Best Foundation Repair for Straightening Bowing Walls

At Functional Foundations, we take the time to fully assess your bowing wall before recommending repair methods. We look at the amount of movement, the condition of the wall, soil pressure, and drainage issues to determine the right solution for your home. Our experienced installers use proven techniques and adhere to industry standards to ensure long-term stability.

Call us at (252) 648-6476 to get foundation repair in North Carolina.

FAQs

How to fix a bowed wall?

You repair a bowing foundation wall by either applying carbon straps or beams to stop the bowing or installing anchors or tiebacks to straighten the foundation wall. The solution depends on available space, the severity of bowing, and the budget.

How much does it cost to fix a bowing foundation?

The cost to fix a bowing foundation wall ranges from $500 to $10,000. The cost depends on the severity of the bow and the materials to be used. Carbon fiber straps are the most budget-friendly because they require minimal materials and no excavation, while helical tiebacks are the most expensive due to the screw-shaped steel rod and steel plates.

Should I buy a house with bowing basement walls?

You can buy a house with bowing basement walls, but you must be careful. Bowing basement walls can be expensive to fix, and other problems, like poor drainage, may also be present. 

Why is my interior wall bowing?

Your interior wall is bowing because the soil outside is exerting lateral force on your foundation. Bowing is a gradual process that can become worse over time. So, it’s best to fix it as soon as it’s noticed.

How much basement wall bowing is acceptable?

It’s difficult to say how much wall bowing is acceptable because bowed walls indicate foundational stress. A professional should evaluate any visible wall bowing. Once you notice your wall is bowing, take steps to fix it immediately.