Bowed Wall Repair Using Steel Beams

Steel beams are installed vertically against the wall and anchored to the floor joists above and to the concrete floor below.

Thrasher Foundation Repair used steel beams to repair this bowing wall.

The front wall of this house was pushed in 5 inches due to improper drainage and grading. As forces of nature, such as moisture and frost, interact with the soil around your home, the soil expands. That expansion results in a constant inward force on your foundation wall until it can no longer support the pressure, causing cracking, bowing and tipping. This caused large cracks throughout the wall and allowed water to enter the basement. With the Power Brace installed(opens in a new window), the wall is stable and will not move inward. During the dry season, the PowerBrace can be tightened from the top bracket. By tightening during the dry season, the soil shrinks, allowing the wall to move back into place over time. This is a unique design created by Supportworks engineers and tested nationwide.  

This is the second house we have worked on for this customer. He was so pleased with the work we did on his home that he hired us again to work on his rental property.

Thrasher Foundation Repair is a trusted company for customers. They create such a positive experience that customers call to complete other projects. Or they call with concerns they are experiencing and eventually become repeat customers. A former customer contacted us for bowed wall repair in Kansas City. Thrasher Foundation Repair installed steel beams, aka "Power Braces," and a waterproofing system in a rental property after Thrasher lifted and leveled their driveway a few years ago.

PowerBrace system permanently stabilizes your home's foundation walls. Zinc-plated steel beams are custom-fit to your basement wall height and secured tight against your basement wall with brackets anchored to your basement floor and floor joists. PowerBrace's unique, patented design allows the system to be tightened over time, potentially reversing wall failure without invasive drilling or digging on the property. They are designed and manufactured right here in the USA by our sister company Supportworks. 

This is the second house we have worked on for this customer. He was so pleased with the concrete work we did on his home that he hired us again to work on his rental property. Now that's awesome! If this customer would sell this rental property, Thrasher's transferable warranty is offered to the new homeowner. Giving both the seller and the buyer peace of mind knowing Thrasher stands behind their work. With over 45 years of experience, engineering, hands on training, and lessons learned, Thrasher is the trusted foundation repair experts in the Midwest. Thrasher Foundation Repair serves homeowners across a four-state region, Kansas, Nebraska, Central and Western Iowa and Western Missouri. If you need a free estimate, don't hesitate to contact our office. Thrasher will send a local expert to your home. Even though we have offices across the Midwest, we thrive on hiring local. So, the specialist and crew who come into your home live near you! 

Thrasher's production crew began the repair cutting the beams to size so, over time, the wall could be pushed back into place. Before the team could install the beams, the interior waterproofing system was installed. The interior drainage system would be installed at the foundation wall base on top of the foundation footing to catch the water right at its entry point. The homeowner chose a sump pump that included three sump pumps. Two sump pumps that run off electricity and a battery backup pump. Now that the waterproofing system is in place, the crew could install the Power Brace brackets to the floor joist then fasten power braces to the floor and bracket. 

Once installed, the Team Lead did a final walk-through with the property owner answering questions and demonstrating how to tighten the Power Braces during the next dry season. If the homeowner cannot use the torque wrench at 80 pounds, a service tech can come out to do annual maintenance. During the yearly maintenance, the service tech will use a laser level and record the improvement benchmarks and tighten power braces. If something isn't right, he will make it right. He will also service the sump pump, cleaning out the pit from any debris, test the pumps, and clear the discharge lines. Having annual maintenance is vital before the heavy Midwest rains come to ensure the pump will work properly. If you would like more information about Thrasher Care Club, aka Annual Maintenance, click here.