Stair-Step Cracking & How to Fix it

This basement in Vincent, OH needs crack repairs. How did these cracks get there? This is how Mid State Basement Systems can help. Stair-Step cracking in brick or block walls is a common symptom of foundation settlement. As your home continues to settle further, vertical cracks may widen. This indicates that the wall is rotating. There are multiple solutions to this wall failure that can meet the needs of any home and homeowner.

Here are some options that work.

When access is limited outside of the home, Carbon Fiber Straps are good way to go. Carbon fiber is a material with a very high tensile strength, meaning it requires a very high amount of force to stretch or pull it apart. Because it is almost impossible to stretch, carbon fiber can be adhered to walls to keep them from bowing or bending inward. The process of installation begins with grinding the wall down to create a clean surface. Then, an epoxy resin is applied to the wall and the carbon fiber strap is adhered.

The PowerBrace system is another option designed to permanently stabilize your home's foundation. It supports basement walls and allows for straightening over time. Utilizing a joist reinforcement method that distributes the load evenly, this system eliminates the worry of damage to wood flood joists which is commonly seen with other I-beam systems. These are installed after the beams are custom fit to the basement wall height and secured tightly against it. This is done with brackets that are anchored to the basement floor and floor joints. The unique, patented design of the PowerBrace allows the system to be tightened over time, stopping wall failure without any invasive drilling on the property.

Another option that works is a Wall Anchor system. These systems consist of galvanized steel earth anchors that are embedded into the soil out away from your foundation wall. They are connected to steel wall plates with galvanized steel rods. One these are installed, wall anchors will hold walls in their current position without any further adjustment. These have the ability to be tightened during dry periods, allowing for improvement and straightening of your wall over time.

Contact us today to see how Mid State Basement Systems can help you with your foundation cracks!