Bowed Basement Block Wall

[FrankS]

Hi, my home is about 50+ years old. The home is 2 story built on a downward slope that makes the front look like a 1 story rancher, but the back is a full 2 story. The foundation is 8" block. The finished basement's front block wall is bowed about 3" in the middle. The length of the wall is about 28 feet. There are slight 1/16" horizontal cracks in the mortar where the bowing is. We don't have a water problem but there is a moisture/mold problem that has recently been addressed and remediated. That's when I discovered the bowing. It looks like the bowing has been present for about 20 - 25 yrs. The original owners (not the ones we bought from) installed 2 double 2"x12"'s in the center to brace the bowing. I want to reinforce the wall to prevent any further bowing. Is Carbon Fiber a viable approach? I also plan on re landscaping the front of the house to minimize water build up during rain storms. I would appreciate your thoughts and comments on this situation.

Thanks,
FrankS

[TJ1962]

Frank,

Carbon Fiber is always a viable approach for inward bowing. However, a 3" bow in a foundation wall is out of structural tolerance. This would come into play in your resale value of the home. You may wish to excavated and straighten wall. Yet if has not worsend in 25 years it may be fine. This is difficult site unseen to properly advise. I would get several opinions for bowing repair.

Sincerely,
Todd