Wall Brace & Beam Solutions
Wall brace and beam solutions are used to repair bowing, buckling, or significant cracks in foundation walls. This is most often caused by lateral pressure from expansive "wet clay" soil, hydrostatic pressure from moisture build-up or frost heaving in colder temperatures.
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Not only can cracks in basement walls cause leaks, molds and infestation, creating unhealthy conditions, they can lead to serious structural issues threatening your home. Minor symptoms can include gaps in floors or ceilings or stuck doors or windows While there are a number of solutions for bowing, buckling or significant cracks in walls, wall braces or beams are a common solution when wall anchors won't work. This is normally due to outside obstructions preventing the yard anchor from being placed, including property lines, sidewalks, outbuildings or tree roots. Wall braces and beams made of corrosion-resistant, zinc-coated galvanized steel should be attached above the basement wall to the mudsill and firmly anchored in the floor to span the entire height of the wall, fitted precisely. A special bracket at top allows the brace or beam to be tightened, pulling the wall back to its best vertical plumb, restoring the wall's structural integrity and sealing cracks from bowing and buckling. |
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Before & After
Get a Free Estimate
Give us a call at 1-800-827-0702 or complete this form and we'll contact you shortly to schedule a Free Inspection, and you'll get a no-obligation written quote during our initial visit.
The Thrasher Difference.No matter the job - we aren't going to feel good about the hard work we've done until you're happy. So we'll do it right or make it right. That's the Thrasher promise. For the last 45 years in the basement and foundation repair industry, we've focused on the value of doing whatever it takes to get the job done and "wow" our customers every step of the way. |
We serve the following areas
- Anchor
- Arrowsmith
- Ashkum
- Beaverville
- Bellflower
- Buckley
- Cabery
- Campus
- Chebanse
- Cissna Park
- Claytonville
- Clifton
- Crescent City
- Cropsey
- Cullom
- Danforth
- Donovan
- Dwight
- Emington
- Fairbury
- Forrest
- Gibson City
- Goodwine
- Iroquois
- Kempton
- Loda
- Martinton
- Odell
- Onarga
- Papineau
- Paxton
- Piper City
- Pontiac
- Roberts
- Saunemin
- Saybrook
- Stockland
- Strawn
- Thawville
- Watseka
- Woodland
- Wellington
Need affordable payment options? We've got you covered.
Cracked foundations, leaky basements and mildewy crawlspaces are often serious problems that shouldn't be ignored. If you feel you've put your repair project off long enough, financing can help you get it done now instead of later. It's not worth gambling with the investment you've made in your home!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Vertical wall cracks in a poured foundation wall often aren't as serious as horizontal ones. Hairline vertical cracks are not uncommon as concrete walls cure. Simply sealing these cracks and protecting from future damages should be enough. If the cracks grow over time and our wider at the top than the bottom, more serious issues might be at play, including a sinking or sagging foundation creating vertical pressure on the wall and threatening your home's structural integrity. To be safe, you should always have foundation wall cracks inspected by a professional.
If there are vertical cracks in a block wall foundation they should always be looked at by a professional because block walls will not get shrinkage cracks. This could be a sign of a more serious foundation issue.
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Horizontal cracks are a greater sign of bowed walls or structural foundation problems than their vertical counterparts. Hydrostatic pressure from expanding soil due to moisture changes can exert tremendous lateral pressure, causing horizontal cracks to form in basement walls. Left unattended, these horizontal cracks tend to grow with time creating more serious issues, potentially a full wall collapse.
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Before bracing a wall, you must first measure the specific height of your basement walls at each placement, so the beams can be accurately cut to fit. The top of each brace is attached close to your home's mudsill, near the floor joists in the basement ceiling, where they are bolted to a special bracket. The wall brace is then attached to your basement floor with another special bracket, spanning the entire height of the wall. Once installed, the I-beam can be tightened with an adjustment mechanism at the top to create the best vertical plumb possible against the buckling wall, restoring your foundation's integrity.
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It's almost impossible to figure the cost of bracing a wall without a proper inspection to determine the root causes requiring the braces and a permanent solution that ultimately delivers the best return on investment. Not addressing root issues and incomplete solutions can cost multiples more in ongoing fixes over time. According to HouseLogic by Realtors, a starting point for the cost of a steel brace alone is in the $700 range. Corrosion-resistant, zinc-plated galvanized steel braces cut to specification, plus installation, accessories like anchors or attachments and adjustments to repair the wall, will add to this cost.
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A power brace is another word for wall brace or I-beam wall support. Thrasher uses its patented PowerBrace system when a wall brace or I-beam wall support solution is required. Zinc-plated, galvanized steel beams are custom fit to your basement wall specifications and secured by special brackets anchored to your mudsill and floor joists at the top and the basement floor at the bottom. A special adjustment mechanism at the top bracket can be tightened over time to restore your wall to its original position, fixing issues with bowing, buckling and cracking foundation walls.
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A proper fix for a bowing wall is one that addresses underlying issues and presents a permanent solution. Foundation systems used to repair a bowing basement wall include wall anchors, wall braces and carbon fiber straps for lateral pressures and piers for vertical pressures. Depending on your home's unique siting and construction, and the amount of bowing that has occured, any of these solutions or a mix of them could be the proper fix for your wall.
Get a Free Estimate
Give us a call at 1-800-827-0702 or complete a short form and we'll contact you to schedule a Free Estimate.