Messages and Online Forum Q&A

Re: Repairing Basement Wall

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Foundations and Basements
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43
Date: 13 Aug 2001
Time: 09:16 PM

Comments

You have a buckling basement wall and want to know the best remedy.

First, without seeing the extent of the condition first hand, it's difficult to prescribe a remedy. However, if your wall is severely buckled, this is clearly a serious structural threat, requiring immediate attention.

Since your basement wall is likely a load-bearing wall, and because there are essential waterproofing considerations that you must employ to keep your basement dry, our instinct is that a wall replacement may be your best option.

The wall must have a proper footing with steel reinforcement to withstand the tension on the inner side. If exterior ground is pressing on the wall, this must be excavated and a properly reinforced wall put in its place - filled solid with concrete. A drainage system should be installed at the same time if you don't already have one.

We strongly urge that you hire a structural engineering firm to assess your condition. They may be able to come up with an alternative method that's less costly. However, whatever you do will probably be significant from an investment standpoint. You should check to see if your homeowners insurance covers this condition before you spend a penny more.

Please keep us posted on this one.

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