Anchors 101: How They Fix Bowed and Cracked Foundation Walls

In St. Louis, many homes face foundation wall issues like bowing and cracking foundations. These safety issues are often a result of our region’s climate. Between our seasonal moisture changes and expansive clay soils, it’s a recipe for potential structural damage. Issues like bowing and cracking walls can get worse with time, potentially threatening your home’s structural integrity. It is essential that you address these issues in a timely fashion. Tieback Wall anchors are some of the best solutions in advanced cases of bowing and cracked walls. Here’s everything you need to know about using wall anchors to fix bowed or cracked foundation walls in St. Louis! 

What Are Wall Anchors?

Wall anchors are special repair products used to fix basement walls that are bowing, cracking, or leaning because of pressure from the soil outside your home. Their main job is to stop the wall from moving inward any further and in many cases, help correct the wall back to where it should be. 

Wall anchors are a great choice for homes with serious foundation movement because they go beyond repairing visible signs of damage. They actually offer a long-lasting solution that tackles the real cause of the problem. 

A typical wall anchor system consists of three main components:

• An interior steel wall plate: Securely attaches to the inside of the cracked or bowing basement wall.
• An exterior earth anchor helix: Gets installed in stable, undisturbed soil deeper and normally several feet away from the foundation.
• A high-strength steel rod or cable: Connects the two plates, creating a tension system.

This setup allows the system to counteract the pressure pushing the wall inward. By excavating the exterior of the wall, it can be corrected to the original position.

Wall Anchors vs. Other Options 

Wall anchors differ from other repair methods, such as steel soldier beams or carbon fiber on the wall surface and are highly effective at preventing further movement. Some of those options don’t provide the ability to pull or straighten a wall that has already bowed significantly, whereas a wall anchor does.

Wall anchors not only stabilize the wall but also offer the potential to correct its alignment over time. This makes wall anchors a preferred choice for more severe cases of bowing or displacement. One downside…they could be more costly.

In some cases, wall anchors might not be necessary, and steel soldier beams or carbon fiber reinforcement may be more appropriate. 

So, it’s best to speak to a foundation specialist in St. Louis who is familiar with these methods and the region’s unique climate patterns to help you make an educated decision. 

How Do Foundation Walls Become Bowed or Cracked?

In St. Louis, foundation walls are especially prone to bowing and cracking due to the region’s expansive clay soils, frequent heavy rains, and drastic freeze/thaw cycles. When the soil around your home absorbs water, it expands and creates significant pressure against your foundation walls. Known as hydrostatic pressure, this stress on the property often leads to bowing or horizontal and diagonal foundation cracks. 

During dry periods, the soil contracts from the foundation. This natural earth movement can leave gaps, allowing water a quicker path of entry, further weakening the foundation.

Furthermore, winter freeze/thaw cycles cause the soil to expand and contract. This stresses the walls even more. Plus, the ice will freeze as the soil contracts, which creates opportunities for water damage and mold growth.

Common warning signs of trouble include:

• Visible inward bowing of basement walls
• Horizontal mid height on the basement wall or stair-step brick cracks
• Diagonal cracks on each end of the basement wall
• Water seepage
• Persistent musty odors in the basement

These symptoms indicate that pressure from outside the foundation is compromising the wall’s integrity. Early detection and repair are crucial, as ignoring these issues can lead to more severe structural damage and costly repairs down the line.

How Do Wall Anchors Work?

Wall anchors can be an effective, long-term solution for fixing cracked and bowing foundations. These tools create a strong connection between your foundation wall and stable soil away from your home. They essentially counteract the forces that cause bowing and cracking. The installation process is straightforward and minimally invasive, making it a popular choice for homeowners in St. Louis and beyond.

Installing wall anchors begins with the excavation of a small trench a few feet away from the foundation. Removing this expanding soil eliminates the source of the problem…wet expanding clay soil. 

Next, a small hole is cored through the basement wall roughly 5’- 6’ apart. A strong steel rod is then inserted through this hole. This tool connects the interior wall plate to the exterior anchor rod which has a helix attached to the end of the rod and then a hydraulic drivehead will drive or “screw” the wall anchor into load bearing strata.

Once everything is in place, the system is tightened. This pulls the wall back toward its original position, helping to close cracks and restore structural integrity. 

It is advisable to apply a new layer of tar to the exterior of the wall to prevent seepage at minor imperfections of the concrete.

Backfilling the excavated wall with rock is ideal in lieu of backfilling with the same soil that caused the problem in the first place!

External drainage is important if backfilling with rock. This helps prevent water from seeping into the basement once there is no longer soil to absorb the rain water.

A key benefit of wall anchors is that they can be torqued to pull the wall back. 

When Are Wall Anchors the Best Solution?

Wall anchors are a highly effective solution for stabilizing and straightening foundation walls that have experienced significant inward movement. However, it’s important to remember that every foundation issue is unique and should be professionally assessed before choosing a repair method. 

Choosing to get wall anchors is especially ideal for situations where basement walls are bowing more than two inches. If the wall is bowed in more than two inches, lighter interventions like carbon fiber straps may not be sufficient. While efficient for some repairs, carbon fiber straps can only prevent further movement rather than actually pulling the wall back into place. 

Wall anchors use steel rods and an exterior helix to apply tension and gradually return the wall to its original position. Therefore, this option offers both stabilization and the potential for realignment.

Correcting foundation issues with wall anchors is particularly suitable for severe cases where the wall has moved inward substantially or when other repair options have failed to provide enough support. 

However, wall anchors do have some limitations. They require access to both the inside and outside of your foundation. Therefore, you’ll need at least 15-20 feet of usable ground outside the basement for proper installation. 

For homeowners in St. Louis dealing with serious foundation wall issues, wall anchors often provide the best chance at restoring both safety and value, provided the property layout allows for their use.

Benefits of Wall Anchor Systems

Wall anchor systems offer a range of benefits for homeowners facing bowing or cracked foundation walls. They are a trusted solution in the St. Louis area and beyond. 

First and foremost, wall anchors correct compromised walls. They have the unique ability to gradually straighten foundation walls, maintain structural integrity, and prevent further movement or widening of existing cracks. 

By transferring the stress from unstable soil near the foundation to stable earth further away, wall anchors relieve pressure on the basement walls. This added stability helps protect against future damage.

These systems are also a cost-effective alternative to total wall replacement. They often save homeowners significant time and money while minimizing disruption to the interior of the home. 

Many wall anchor systems come with long-term or lifetime warranties. This added benefit provides peace of mind for property owners while potentially increasing property value.

What to Expect During Installation of Wall Anchors in St. Louis

When you choose wall anchor installation for your St. Louis home, you can expect an efficient and professional process designed to keep disruption to a minimum. Some projects are completed in just one day!

Before starting, a team of professionals carefully plan and map out where each anchor will go. 

They’ll install steel rods to connect the interior wall plates to the exterior anchors. Once everything is in place, the system is tightened to straighten your wall right away. 

Inside your home, the process is kept clean and contained. Experts use protective coverings to keep dust and debris under control.

At Stratum Structural Systems, we bring decades of local expertise and a commitment to honest, high-quality service. Our team is known for clear communication, careful workmanship, and solutions designed for St. Louis’s unique soil and weather. When you choose Stratum, you’re choosing a company that stands behind its work, values your home, and puts your peace of mind first. Contact us today!