cracked and bowing walls

[stephrad]

My basement has cracked and bowing block walls. Any recommendations on the best way to fix them?

[TJ1962]

Hello Stephrad,

I just posted this reply to someone looking to purchase a home with simular problem:

Assuming that the rest of the house is solid, believe it or not this occurs alot. Cost of repair can be negoiated to be taken off of the sales price etc.

The severity of the bowing in determines your repair options. ACI (American Concrete Institute) http://www.aci.com states that the out of plane tolerances of a foundation wall may be 1 inch out of plum per 40 lineal ft of wall, this has a safety factor. If the deflection is over this, and over a 2 safety factor, then this must be delt with.

Type of foundation (block, stone, poured, clay brick) and age also figures into the repair options. It may require replacement, building a secondary wall on interior, excavation pushing back into place and strengthening, or mearly strengthening and stabilization.

This can be accomplished using steel I-Beams, tie-backs, carbon fiber tendons, or mearly grouting and adding rods.

Weigh all options as per cost of home and desired results. Consult several professionals.

TJ1962