Improperly built foundation and retaining walls can become unsteady and bend inward as soil pressure forces them to move.
To resist earth pressure and maintain stability, foundation walls rely on their connection to the floor framing. The association of the sill plate to the foundation wall and the floor joists to the sill plate is critical in maintaining the foundation wall’s stability. As the earth’s pressure tries to push against the outside of the foundation wall, the floor framing acts as a resisting force, keeping the wall in place.
If the floor framing is not correctly tied to the foundation wall, or if a framed knee wall is built on top of the foundation wall, there is no resisting force to resist the earth’s pressure, and the foundation wall may move inward.
To maintain stability and prevent wall overturning, retaining walls must have a properly designed and constructed footing or wall tie-back system.
Our foundation repair experts can use a wall tie-back system to stabilize the foundation and retaining walls. A wall tie back is a structural component that extends behind the border into the soil. To be effective, the wall tie-back system must extend beyond the slip plane of the soil.
Wall Tie-Back Services
A home is the most vital investment a person can make, not to mention that it protects your family and your belongings. Unfortunately, your home may become unsafe and unstable due to foundation damage. We provide foundation repair services and wall tie-back installation, such as helical tie-back anchors to secure and repair deteriorating basement walls. We offer industry-leading wall tie-back & waterproofing services.
Helical tie-backs are horizontal rods used to support, reinforce, and straighten bowed basement or retaining walls. The size and load requirements of helical tie-back wall anchors are engineered explicitly by wall tie-back service providers. These anchors are an excellent option for essential soil retention applications with their high load capacities.
The following are a few of the benefits of helical wall tie-back services by HydroHelp911:
- Installation is simple, even with limited access.
- Lightweight equipment is used.
- Capacity and ease of measurement.
- The weather does not affect it.
- They are load-tested as soon as they are installed.
- There should be little to no vibration or soil displacement.
Installation of Helical Wall Tiebacks
Helical tie-backs are installed by anchoring one end of the tie-back to the wall and the other end to a stable structure. This tie-back structure resists forces that would cause the wall to lean otherwise. These helical tie-backs will pull the wall back into place. Wall tie-backs are used to prevent or stop lateral movement instead of piles, which are typically installed to avoid or halt vertical foundation movement. When a wall is built below ground level, such as in a basement or as a retaining wall separate from any structure, it is subjected to tremendous hydraulic pressure. As soils expand due to rain, immense pressure pushes against the wall, resulting in bending, cracking, bowing basement walls, or retaining wall shifts.
Walls are designed to withstand a certain amount of pressure, and as time passes, this pressure is exceeded, causing the walls to bow. Standing water will increase pressure if the drainage around the foundation is inadequate. One of the most common reasons for turning basement walls is this. Bowing walls can cause total foundation failure. Our helical tie-backs will take care of the issue and keep your home safe.
Why Should You Use Helical Wall Tie-Backs?
When you notice leaning or bowing walls in your home, there are several reasons to consider installing helical anchors or tie-backs.
Preventing further damage is the most common. When a wall begins to bow or lean, it must be addressed immediately; otherwise, the problem will worsen over time. Because the wall weakens and is less secure as the severity of the lean or bow increases, it can decline tremendously over a certain point. Having helical tie-backs installed addresses one contributing factor while preventing the wall from deteriorating further and causing more widespread damage.
It accomplishes this by accounting for the pressure causing it to bow inwards and applying appropriate and opposing pressure via the interior wall plates. Tie-backs, when properly placed, can stop the bowing of even the most severely damaged wall, ensuring that it continues to remain safe and stable for the coming years.
LONG TERM, COST-EFFICIENT FOUNDATION REPAIRS
Helical anchors were the most cost-effective and long-lasting bending and bowing wall solutions for structurally damaged property walls. Furthermore, once installed, they are relatively simple to conceal. This makes them an excellent damage management solution, even for walls that can no longer be straightened.
When knowledgeable foundation repair professionals install, helical wall tie-backs have no actual lifespan. However, helical tie-back installation should be a long-term solution unless something happens to dislodge or pressure the damaged wall. As a result, the helical anchors are incredibly cost-effective in the long run.
When Is It Time to Install Helical Anchors?
Helical wall anchors are specialized tools that should be used if the structural integrity of your basement walls has been compromised. It can be difficult for a non-professional to tell when wall anchors are required, but there are some signs of structural instability to look out for. If you come across any of the following symptoms, you should contact a foundation repair expert:
- Horizontal cracks (brick walls).
- Cracks in stairwells (brick walls).
- Cracks that run diagonally (poured concrete walls).
- Water is accumulating in the basement cove.
- Your walls have a visible lean or tilt.
- A divot in the middle of a wall.
Of course, in a perfect scenario, you would never need to install helical or traditional wall anchors. But unfortunately, structural problems will only worsen over time. As a result, if you notice any of these symptoms, you should seek professional help. An expert will evaluate your basement and determine the best solution for your home.
They might recommend helical tie-backs, but they might also recommend carbon fiber wall reinforcement, specialized I-Beams, or a traditional wall anchor system.
Watch to learn more: Hydrostatic Pressure! Get a First-Hand View of What That Is
Wall Tieback Services by HydroHelp911
The security and safety of the house are of the utmost importance to us, and we will do everything in our strength to rectify any issues in your basement as soon as possible. We will also ensure that the installation is quick, simple, and stress-free. Furthermore, we take extra care to leave your home exactly as we found it; you will not be left to clean up after our team manages your repairs.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ANCHORED RETAINING WALLS?
The Benefits of Anchored Retaining Walls:
- Used primarily for slope protection and retaining earthworks in deep excavations.
- Thin walls or very light structures can be combined with anchored walls.
- Anchored walls are one of the most cost-effective earth retention systems.
- Combinations with sheet piles, cantilever retaining walls, piled retaining walls, and other structures are very useful for providing a safe working area in very deep excavations.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON BOWED WALL SYMPTOMS?
Unstable or overly wet soil can cause foundations to shift, resulting in bowed or leaning walls. Swollen soil exerts tremendous pressure on the home, jeopardizing its structural integrity. The symptoms aren’t always apparent right away. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- Concrete or masonry cracks: Stair-step cracks in block basement walls are particularly common.
- Walls that are sagging: Most of the time, leaning will begin from the top down, making it difficult to detect.
- If you notice either or both of these underlying conditions, you must contact a professional immediately, as further damage is unavoidable.
WHAT ARE HELICAL ANCHORS, AND HOW DO THEY FUNCTION?
Helical wall tie-back anchors are a type of wall anchor. They are intended to strengthen or straighten walls that are bowing or buckling due to excessive pressure. This pressure can be caused by water deposits in the soil or by a damaged foundation that cannot withstand normal hydrostatic pressure. These leaning or bowing walls are not only unsightly, but they can also be dangerous, resulting in the collapse of the wall or even your basement in certain circumstances.
Wall anchors, in general, are intended to counteract this pressure and straighten walls, frequently in conjunction with other solutions if the bowing is caused by or affects your home’s foundation. On the other hand, Helical wall anchors are a little more specialized. The screw-like design is ideal for dealing with difficult soil and reduces the need for yard excavation. In addition, the helices on the shaft make it simple to effectively anchor them in the soil around your home, and the zinc-plated, galvanized steel used is resistant to water and corrosion.
