Do Carbon Fiber Straps Repair Foundation Damage?

Repairing Foundation Damage

When it comes to being a homeowner, one of the smartest things you can do is protect your foundation walls – they literally support your home. And, if your basement walls are ever damaged, they need to be quickly repaired. While foundation damage may seem intimidating at first, carbon fiber straps are a simple, straightforward solution to repair your foundation. Let’s break it down.

Foundation Damage is a Serious but Common Problem

Foundation damage is more common than you realize. According to a presentation given to the National Association of Home Builders, over 25% of construction builds in the United States experience foundation problems, with 5% experiencing major structural problems. New Jersey homes are especially susceptible to foundation wall damage due to the high clay content in the soil, causing hydrostatic pressure on the foundation walls.

A damaged foundation is a serious concern and can compromise your home’s structure, allow more moisture to invade your basement, lower the value of your property, and pose a safety threat to you and your family. But, before you can repair foundation damage, you first need to know how to spot foundation issues.

Warning Signs of a Foundation Wall Problem

Being able to spot problems with your foundation walls is the first step to repairing them. The following are common signs that your foundation walls need attention.

Leaking Basement Walls

Leaking or “sweating” basement walls might not seem like a big issue, but they can have big consequences. If you notice water coming through your foundation walls or the walls look like they are “sweating,” your walls are experiencing hydrostatic pressure. Water in the earth surrounding your home is pressing inwards on your foundation walls, applying extra stress and strain, damaging your foundation.

Cracking Basement Walls

One of the most obvious telltale signs of foundation damage is cracks forming along your basement walls. While vertical wall cracks can be a normal part of concrete walls as they age, horizontal cracks are not normal and represent an underlying issue. Additionally, if you have block (CMU) foundation walls, you may see stair-step cracks, another indicator of foundation damage.

Bowing Basement Walls

Another visible sign of foundation damage is bowing walls. Bowing walls can be identified by a bulge in your foundation walls protruding inward towards your basement. Bowing in foundation walls needs to be repaired before it grows worse.

Shearing Basement Walls

Wall shearing is a specific type of foundation wall damage most common in block walls. Foundation block walls are built and bonded on a bottom row of blocks. Shearing occurs when outside pressure breaks that bond, causing the wall to shift inward and hang over the bottom row of blocks. Without repair, the shear will continue to move inward until collapse. Most commonly, you will see the shear in the second course of the CMU block. This is because the basement floor keeps the bottom block locked into proper alignment.

Leaning Basement Walls

Leaning, or tipping, basement walls occurs when the wall itself remains straight, but the top or bottom of the wall starts to tilt into the basement. This type of foundation wall damage occurs when the top of the wall bonding has been compromised, causing it to move.

“When it comes to being a homeowner, one of the smartest things you can do is protect your foundation walls – they literally support your home“

-Steve Karlik, Owner & Founder of Blue Umbrella Waterproofing

Fixing Walls With Carbon Fiber Straps

Once you are able to identify foundation wall damage in your New Jersey home, the next step is properly repairing it. Thanks to advancements in technology and material, carbon fiber straps are now one of the most reliable and trusted techniques for foundation wall repairs among structural engineers and foundation repair professionals. Here’s what you need to know about carbon fiber straps and why they are right for your foundation repair.

What are Carbon Fiber Straps?

Carbon fiber straps are typically vertical straps installed directly onto your damaged foundation wall to permanently stabilize the wall. The straps are made with carbon fiber, a strong, sturdy, and lightweight woven material.

Carbon fiber straps are of varying qualities, and sometimes, your foundation repair company may use inferior products. But Blue Umbrella only installs InvisiBeam by Fortress Stabilization Systems. InvisiBeam uses a superior patented carbon-Kevlar material for its straps, making it over four times stronger than steel. It is guaranteed to repair the damage to your foundation wall.

How Carbon Fiber Straps Work

Imagine your foundation wall is a broken bone. Carbon fiber straps act like a cast, holding it firmly in place for a quality repair. But while a cast is eventually removed, carbon fiber strap installation is a permanent solution. Once installed, your wall is stabilized by the straps for life.

Carbon Fiber Strap Installation

Carbon fiber strap straps are installed vertically on the foundation wall, from top to bottom, and adhered directly to the wall surface. The number of straps used depends on the size of the affected wall and the severity of the damage. With InvisiBeam carbon-Kevlar straps, strap installation is secured with both a top and bottom anchor to maximize stability and longevity.

Pros and Cons of Carbon Fiber Straps

Now that you know what carbon fiber straps are, it’s essential to understand why they’re an effective solution and when an alternative repair route should be used.

Pros

• Uninvasive Installation: carbon fiber straps are installed efficiently, with minimal disruption to your basement. They don’t take long to set up and don’t require invasive exterior excavation to be properly installed.
• Superior Strength: carbon fiber alone is a strong material. InvisiBeam straps are made from carbon-kevlar material as well, making them four times stronger than steel. It is guaranteed to secure your basement walls.
• No Maintenance: carbon fiber straps are a long-term solution. InvisiBeam carbon-kevlar straps are designed to be a lifetime repair that requires no maintenance.
• Low Visibility: carbon fiber straps adhere directly to the wall. This means they do not jut out from the wall and can easily be painted over to give your basement the look you want.

Cons

• Limited Application: carbon fiber straps are only effective on cracked or bowing walls under two inches. If your wall is bowing out more than two inches, the repair may require steel i-beams.
• Product Variability: not all carbon fiber straps are created equal. Make sure your foundation repair company uses a high-quality product, like InvisiBeam by Fortress Stabilization Systems, which is made right here in Holland, Michigan, USA.

InvisiBeam Carbon-Kevlar vs Standard Carbon Fiber Straps

As you’ve noticed by now, the type of carbon fiber strap you use plays a pivotal role in how effective your foundation wall repair is. Blue Umbrella only carries and installs InvisiBeam straps. Here are reasons why InvisiBeam is the best choice for your foundation wall repair:

Strap Material is Critical

InvisiBeam is not your typical carbon fiber strap. Where other contractors use weaker materials, InvisiBeam is made with patented unidirectional carbon-Kevlar material, making it the strongest product on the market.

InvisiBeam Is More Than a Strap

In addition to the best grade material available, InvisiBeam straps adhere to your walls with a composite ReGrid patented technology to create the strongest bond between the wall and the strap. The strap is also secured with both a top and bottom wall anchor, unlike more commonly used straps that are manufactured overseas.

ICC Certification

InvisiBeam is the first concrete reinforcement system to receive ICC-ES Certification (International Code Council Evaluation Service), meaning it passes concrete reinforcement requirements for international building codes.

The Best in the Industry

With patented technology, international code approval, and proprietary manufacturing methods, Fortress Stabilization Systems products such as InvisiBeam are the best in the industry.

Carbon Fiber Straps vs Steel I-Beams

Regardless of the material or product, carbon fiber straps are only effective for repairing foundation walls bowing less than two inches. Walls bowing more than two inches will require steel i-beam installation or may require the entire wall to be rebuilt.

Just like with carbon fiber straps, steel i-beam installation has greatly improved thanks to advanced technologies and materials. It is a strong, reliable repair choice in severe foundation wall damage situations.

Common Carbon Fiber Strap FAQs

Are Carbon Fiber Straps Permanent?

Yes! Carbon fiber strap installation is a permanent repair solution. There is no maintenance required. All Blue Umbrella InvisiBeam installations also come with a lifetime guarantee. Fortress is the only company that offers a lifetime warranty on their repairs, which is hands-down the best warranty in the industry.

How Much Do Carbon Fiber Straps Cost?

The cost of any foundation wall repair depends on the type and severity of the foundation wall damage. While carbon fiber strap installation is generally less expensive than steel i-beam installation, Blue Umbrella offers foundation inspections to all New Jersey customers to provide you with a free cost estimate.

Can Carbon Fiber Straps Be Used On Any Wall?

No. Carbon fiber straps are best used on concrete walls, including both poured concrete walls and concrete block walls. Depending on the condition of a brick wall, a Fortress solution can be used. Typically, carbon fiber strips cannot be used on stone walls and or fieldstone walls.

Do Carbon Fiber Straps Straighten My Walls?

No. Carbon fiber straps repair foundation walls by stabilizing them and preventing further movement, but they do not straighten them.

Can I Install Carbon Fiber Straps Myself?

It is not recommended. Carbon fiber straps are effective, but only when applied properly. When not done by a professional, you could damage your property even more.

Fortress carbon fiber straps only carry a lifetime warranty when installed by a platinum-trained and approved contractor. Blue Umbrella receives yearly specialized training from Fortress on New Jersey job sites. Our install teams stay up-to-date on installation, techniques, and product improvements.

Contact Blue Umbrella For Trusted, Proven Foundation Wall Repair

If you need foundation wall repair, contact Blue Umbrella today. With over 20 years of experience servicing New Jersey homeowners, Blue Umbrella is the trusted choice. If you have any questions about foundation wall damage or carbon fiber strap repair, give us a call today.