Wall reinforcement is a form of foundation repair, which is often recommended for older buildings. 

In years gone by, it was common to build foundations using materials such as unreinforced concrete or cinder block. In older buildings, it’s relatively common to see walls bowing and leaning in due to the pressure exerted on the foundation walls by soil and water. If the walls become compromised, it may not always be possible to stabilize and restore the integrity of the structure using wall anchors. In this case, wall reinforcement may be recommended. 

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What Exactly is Wall Reinforcement?

If the walls in your home have started to crack or lean, this may indicate that the foundation walls are compromised. As a result of pressure loaded on the wall by soil and moisture, the walls start to bow and crack, and there’s a risk of buckling. If the wall is showing signs of significant damage, and the structure doesn’t have the integrity to move back to its original position with wall anchors, wall reinforcement may prove an effective alternative. 

With wall reinforcement, we use carbon fiber reinforcement straps to hold the foundation walls in place and prevent further movement. As well as fitting sturdy, strong straps, we can also install vertical steel beams, which run the length of the wall to provide additional support and prevent any further inward bending or leaning. 

When placing steel beams to reinforce the walls, it’s crucial to close any gaps between the wall and the beam with grout. This creates a tighter connection and ensures that the pole is attached right from the top to the bottom.

The Benefits of Wall Reinforcement

Many older buildings are vulnerable to foundation wall weakness due to the materials that were used in the construction process in decades gone by. If the foundation walls are compromised, the walls will continue to move and bend inwards, putting the structure at risk. If the walls are already bowing, or there are cracks, it may not be possible to stabilize them using wall anchors, and wall reinforcement may be recommended. 

Wall reinforcement is an effective, targeted foundation repair method, which helps to prevent further movement and protect the structure. We can use advanced carbon fiber straps or robust steel beams to secure the foundation walls and ensure that they stay firmly in place. With wall reinforcement, you’ll end up with safe, stable walls and you can enjoy peace of mind that the walls won’t continue to move.

How can I Find out More?

At Rhino Foundation Systems, we have extensive experience in installing wall anchors and utilizing wall reinforcement systems. If you’re concerned about the walls in your home, we’re here to help. All you need to do is give us a call or contact us online, and we can investigate the problem, assess the site, and discuss possible solutions with you. If wall reinforcement is the best course of action, our expert team will work as quickly and efficiently as possible to secure your home.

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FAQs

Can wall reinforcement stop my home from settling?

It won’t affect whether or not your home continues to sink, but it will help keep the floor of your house from dipping down into the foundation in the form of your crawl space or basement any further if that has been a problem. Keeping your home from sinking will require other foundation repair services, like pier installation.

What are some signs that I should look into getting the wall of my foundation reinforced?

If the material that lines your foundation is leaning inward towards the interior, or it has cracks in any of its surfaces, it would be a good idea to at the very least have it inspected so that if the surface is deemed hazardous after the inspection, you can act and have the walls reinforced, which will help to stabilize the building for the foreseeable future and avoid a total collapse of the foundation from the inside, which would conversely cause serious damage to your home.

What types of wall reinforcement should I get?

Rhino foundation Systems offers two primary methods of wall reinforcement. The first option being carbon fiber straps that we use to strap the wall back into place, and because of the composition of carbon fiber, it will be incredibly difficult for the wall to lean or cave inward again, while still being a flexible option. The next service are metal beams that we can line throughout the foundation, which will give the area a significant amount of structural integrity, and keep the surface from cracking or tearing any further.

What can I do to prevent further damage to my foundation?

When it comes to wall reinforcement, and keeping the walls of your foundation from receiving these damages that cause the walls to bow or crack, it would be best to keep trees and plants away from the structure itself. Roots from trees can push against the walls, and water can cause soil to expand, both of which can cause the walls to experience damage. Even if your foundation walls have been reinforced, keep an eye on the above mentioned hazards because there is always potential for damage, regardless of preventative measures.

How long will it take to have the walls of my foundation reinforced?

Wall reinforcement is fairly streamlined as a service. Using carbon fiber straps is fairly quick and easy. Using the steel beams can be a bit more complicated given the size and weight of each beam, but in most cases, these projects won’t extend past 1-3 days. In some situations where we have a lot of ground to cover, it could take longer, but these instances for your average homeowner are rare.