Basement Repair Naperville IL is an important step to maintaining the structural integrity of your home. While some DIY methods are suitable for minor cracks, more severe damage requires professional assessment and repair methods.
Bowed or leaning basement walls require more extensive structural repair than a simple epoxy fill. We offer carbon fiber reinforcement and wall anchors or braces that stabilize bowing walls over time.
Foundation crack repair is a vital part of any basement renovation project. When not properly addressed, cracks provide a route for water and pests to enter your home and can lead to more significant damage and structural issues down the road.
Inadequate waterproofing, improper drainage, and soil movement are all common causes of basement foundation cracks. These cracks can compromise the structural integrity of your home, cause damage to interior walls and floors, and contribute to mold growth. Effectively addressing this issue will prevent moisture from infiltrating your basement and help protect the value of your investment.
Seasonal cycles and moisture changes can also cause bowed or leaning basement walls. The thawing and freezing of high-density clay soils puts pressure on the basement walls, and this can cause them to bow inward over time. This can create structural issues that compromise the stability of your home and can lead to costly repairs if not addressed. A carbon fiber reinforcement system like EverBrace can stabilize and straighten bowed walls and is a minimally invasive solution to this serious problem.
Diagonal basement wall cracks that appear in the corners of your basement are a sign of movement or settlement. Usually, these cracks have an upward or downward slope, which indicates that the concrete wall is moving. This can be a significant problem, so it’s important to contact a professional for advice.
Waterproofing
When water leaks into a home, it not only destroys stored items but can lead to mold growth and other health problems. It can also increase energy costs due to the extra heating and cooling demand caused by dampness, which can be difficult to control with a basement ventilation system alone. Waterproofing is one of the most cost-effective preventative repairs that can keep a home comfortable, dry and safe.
Basements need to be regularly inspected by homeowners so they can catch damage early and have it repaired quickly. Regular inspections should include checking for signs of foundation cracking, settling and sinking. Small cracks are often harmless but if the cracks widen, it’s time to call for a professional. In addition, a homeowner should check for cracks on the interior and exterior of a house. It’s also important to ensure the land a house sits on slopes away from it, and to have gutters assessed for blockages and debris buildup.
Once water seepage is identified, it’s crucial to determine its source. This may be obvious, such as standing pools of water on the floor or yellow streaks on walls, but other times, it’s less clear. Efflorescence, a white, powdery residue on masonry surfaces, is another common sign of moisture infiltration. Other indicators include sagging floors, warped or peeling paint, and musty odors.
Injecting epoxy, hydrophobic or hydrophilic resins into cracks can repair them from the inside without excavation and reconstruction. However, this method is not foolproof and does not guarantee that the problem will not recur. For this reason, many professionals recommend combining this with waterproofing measures like crack sealants and interior drainage systems.
A well-functioning waterproofing system can make the difference between a dark, musty, uninhabitable space and a valuable living area, such as a recreation room, home gym or office. Basement waterproofing solutions like Bright Space wall liners and Kozy floor barriers allow homeowners to transform below-grade space into comfortable, usable square footage. By reducing humidity, these products provide protection from mold, mildew and other allergens that can affect family members with allergies or breathing difficulties. They can also create a more comfortable temperature in the lower level, so it’s easier to use and enjoy.
Carbon Fiber Reinforcement
Carbon fiber is a modern material that’s far stronger and lighter than steel. It has a very high tensile strength, making it perfect for repairing foundation walls that are buckling or bowing. Because of its superior strength, carbon fiber can stabilize basement walls without the need for invasive procedures like breaking through concrete floors or altering floor joists. Carbon fiber is also non-corrosive and won’t break down under moisture, so it’s a long-lasting solution for your basement.
Unlike traditional reinforcement techniques, which require excavation and major structural changes to your home, carbon fiber basement wall repair is a minimally-invasive process that simply involves attaching carbon fiber straps to the affected walls. This means you can remain in your home during the entire process, minimizing disruption to your home’s structure and your daily life.
In addition, carbon fiber basement wall reinforcement is much faster to install than concrete or steel beams. This reduces your timeline and allows you to return to your home more quickly after the repairs are complete.
Carbon fiber basement wall reinforcement works best on homes with concrete block or poured concrete walls that have minor to moderate bowing or buckling. Different types of basements also work better with certain repair methods, and a professional can recommend the right solution for your unique situation during an obligation-free consultation.
To install carbon fiber straps on your basement walls, professionals make small slots in the foundation’s concrete, and then run the carbon fiber through these slots. The straps are then secured in place with a special epoxy that’s designed to withstand extreme pressure from outward forces. The end result is a strong, secure, and long-lasting repair to your foundation that will keep your home’s value high and stable for the future.
Another benefit of carbon fiber basement wall reinforcement is its discrete appearance, which won’t clash with your home’s décor. The straps are a dark color that blends in with basement walls, and you can further hide them by painting over them or applying drywall to the wall. Our expert team takes your home’s aesthetic into consideration when installing carbon fiber basement wall reinforcement, so you can rest assured that the solution will look seamless and natural.
Wall Anchors or Braces
Wall anchors or braces are an essential part of a holistic basement repair project for many homeowners with bowing walls. These structural supports permanently stabilize bowed or leaning basement walls, and can straighten them back to their original position over time. They extend into stable soil outside your foundation and grip it, stopping lateral movement. This prevents additional damage to your home and saves you the cost of full replacement down the road.
The expansive clay soil common in much of Central and Southern Ohio expands and contracts with fluctuating precipitation, exerting pressure on basement walls and causing them to bow. Bowing basement walls allow water to seep into your basement, leading to mold growth and a variety of other problems. If not repaired, basement bowing walls can lead to further deterioration and structural collapse.
Bowing basement walls can be a sign of serious structural issues and a hazard to your family’s safety. If you notice vertical, stair-step or diagonal basement wall cracks, bowing inward, or a musty odor, contact JES for a professional evaluation and basement repair. Our expert technicians are able to install wall anchors, which grip the stable soil surrounding your foundation and halt lateral movement. They can even straighten a deformed basement wall over time, saving you the costly and disruptive option of foundation replacement.
When it comes to repairing basement bowing walls, there are three primary options for bracing the walls: wall plate anchors, carbon fiber straps and helical tieback anchors. Each of these solutions offers pros and cons, and which one is right for your home depends on a number of factors.
Wall plate anchors are a permanent basement repair solution for bowing walls, but they require excavation around the foundation to secure the plates in the ground. This is an extensive and labor-intensive process. If your walls are bowed less than two inches, other support systems like carbon fiber straps may be a better choice.
Carbon fiber reinforcement is a state-of-the-art basement repair technique that uses woven carbon strips to strengthen the wall. Each strip is inserted in a precise location, and then coated in super-strong epoxy to adhere them to the concrete wall. Once the epoxy has set, a steel angle is affixed to the top of the foundation wall to prevent further inward movement and to reinforce the damaged structure.