How to Fix a Cracked Basement Wall

Long, horizontal crack in basement block wall may indicate a dangerously weakened wall

By the experts at The Family Handyman
From The Family Handyman
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How to Fix a Cracked Basement Wall
However, the horizontal crack that has bowed the wall inward is the sign of a severely weakened wall that can fail. Even if it has been stable for awhile, it can no longer reliably support the load it’s supposed to carry.
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Q. I have a crack running horizontally along my basement concrete block wall. There’s a stair-step crack on each end of this main 1/4-in. crack, and the wall has bowed in about 1 in. Is this wall stable? Can I just fill the crack and finish the basement?

A. NO. Don’t handle this cracked wall by simply filling the crack and finishing off the basement. If you only had the stair-step cracks, you could go ahead with your basement finish work, because that type of crack is a normal sign of settling. Stair-step cracks may cause cracks in other walls above or a door to rub, but they don’t compromise the strength of the foundation.

However, the horizontal crack that has bowed the wall inward is the sign of a severely weakened wall that can fail. Even if it has been stable for awhile, it can no longer reliably support the load it’s supposed to carry.

Our advice is to ask a local general contractor or building official to direct you to a structural engineer who can examine the wall and surroundings and suggest the correct method to reinforce the wall. Then you can proceed with your project.

To view more details about basement wall repair and types of bracing.

From The Family Handyman - July/August 2004
 
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