How Can I Fix Bowing Walls?

Bowing walls are a serious structural issue that could cause larger problems within your home very quickly. As such, the first thing you should do when you notice that your walls are bowing is to call a foundation and basement professional. An expert will be able to not only diagnose the damage but stabilize your property and make it safe before providing a tailored solution. 

• Mild Bowing 

If your walls have only just started to bow. a professional may suggest minimally invasive measures such as carbon reinforcement or wall braces. Carbon fiber reinforcement strips are only useful for walls that have deviated by less than 2 inches. 

Wall braces are versatile and non-invasive; they will allow you to stabilize damaged walls, but they can also help you to straighten a wall over time. The main downsides of wall braces are that they are very hard to disguise. However, they are also very effective. 

• Moderate to Severe Bowing 

If you have moderate to severe bowing in some of your basement walls, there is only one solution that will properly stabilize and straighten your walls. Wall anchors are heavy-duty wall repair tools capable of straightening a wall over time. They are, however, easier to disguise than wall braces because the majority of the anchor is placed outside of your property. 

The main downside of wall anchors is the amount of excavation required to install them. Wall anchors require excavation outside of your property for the anchor placement as well as drilling within your basement to feel a steel rod through. The actual wall plates are easy to cover, however, and make adjusting the tension over time very simple.