Everyday Items Made of Carbon Fiber | Columbus, OH

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Carbon fiber is super lightweight and strong. It is actually the strongest man-made material in the world and can be woven into fabric sheets or melted down into a mold to make all sorts of products. It has become more common with the mass production at large manufacturing plants making it more affordable to use.

Airplanes

The aerospace industry has been using carbon fiber for years in airplane manufacturing, including on wings. It is perfect for airplanes considering its strength, durability and light weight. For people who don’t know anything about carbon fiber, imagining a material that is used to make airplane wings helps them understand just how strong and light it is.

 Columbus, OH | StablWall

Sports and Safety Equipment

Because of its indestructible qualities and lightweight it is used to make helmets and other sports equipment. There are even carbon fiber running shoes and hardhats now. Kevlar is molded carbon fiber. It is the same components just melted down added to a resin and molded into different products. Bullet proof vests, face masks, and other serious safety equipment is often made of Kevlar carbon fiber.

Novelty Items

Manufacturers are coming out with an array of novelty products using carbon fiber. Carbon fiber novelty items include everything from iPhone covers to toilet seats. The novelty items are frivolous because most of the items like jewelry, goggles and mouse pads don’t need to be ultra-lightweight and indestructible. Just the fact that they are made of carbon fiber makes them more expensive and a new kind of luxurious.

New Cars

Car manufacturers are designing new cars with carbon fiber composites to make the cars and trucks lighter and more crash resistant. The lightweight will actually increase fuel efficiency on cars and trucks with carbon fiber parts.

Foundation Repair Products

The basement waterproofing and foundation repair industry actually uses carbon fiber to repair foundation walls, bowing or bulging block walls and foundation cracks. Carbon fiber in the basement actually is an alternative to steel I-beams systems and other heavy repair techniques. It reduces labor costs because carbon fiber is so lightweight and reduces the maintenance because it is so strong. Once they repair the foundation with carbon fiber it is done.

Bowing Cinder Block | Philidelphia, PA | StablWall

Repair a Bowing Wall | New York, NY

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When you see cracks forming on your foundation wall, the first thing you should do is to call the experts. Foundation cracks are often a sign of the need for foundation repair. This isn’t a unique problem. Foundations, like any other part of the home, need maintenance.

Why You Need a Pro

You may be wondering why you should spend money and time calling a professional for only a few cracks on the wall. You’re not alone. Many homeowners will either ignore or seek do-it-yourself solutions to the cracks in an attempt to avoid what they think would be an unnecessary expense. 

The problem with this is that foundation cracks often indicate a problem with the foundation, which if not properly repaired is likely to become a structural problem for the entire home. There’s also the problem of water seepage. Even cracks that aren’t allowing water through at the moment are likely to start leaking over time. You’ll end up with a wet basement that will result in further problems including damage of property as well as the growth of mold.

New York, NY | StablWall

 

Repairing a Bowing Foundation Wall

Foundation cracks are often the first thing you’ll notice when your foundation is in danger. They are one of the first signs of a bowing foundation wall. In this situation, even the strongest sealants will not protect your wall from further damage.

The bowing occurs as a result of high pressure from the soils surrounding the foundation wall. It is important to not only relieve this pressure but also to provide more support for the wall. The following are two popular ways of providing support for foundation walls.

  1. Re-bracing walls

This is one of the most popular methods of repairing bowing walls. Re-bracing the walls involves reinforcing the walls. The reinforcement may be in the form of carbon fiber strips or steel beams. This provides long term support to the wall ensuring that it will not shift under pressure from the outside.

  1. Anchors

Foundation anchors are installed in a bowing foundation wall to counteract the pressure that is exerted against the foundation wall. The anchors can be installed either on the inside or the outside of the foundation wall. They are installed under the foundation wall. Modern anchors can be installed in the earth without the need for excavation.

If you have bowing foundation walls, have a chat with a professional contractor about the different options available to you.

Bowing Foundation | Columbus, Ohio | StablWall

Alternative Roof Drainage to Prevent Bowed Basement Walls Philadelphia, PA

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Alternative Roof Drainage to Prevent Bowed Basement Walls

Your roof drainage system is an important part of the foundation waterproofing system. Good drainage ensures that runoff from the roof is deposited far away from the foundation. This ensures that the soil around your foundation is not soaked with water and therefore prevents the development of bowed basement walls.

Homeowners are advised to keep their gutter systems in the best possible condition in order to protect their foundations from damage. They are required to inspect and clean their gutters regularly for best results.

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However, if you live in an area that has the occasional rainstorm, you may want to include some additional protection from the rain. This is because roof gutters may not always be able to handle the volume of runoff, especially during a rainstorm. One great option is to include ground gutters.

An introduction to ground gutters

Ground gutters are a simple and effective solution to handling excess water when the capacity of the gutters is exceeded during a rain storm. They are essentially trenches that are dug into the ground around the home. They help to divert water away from the foundation.

They are dug along the foundation wall and lined with waterproof material. This may include rubber or some similar liner. Pipes are laid on the bottom of the trench. These pipes help to direct runoff away from the home

Ground gutters are designed to drain water several yards away from the home to ensure that it does not collect at the foundation and cause damage. The actual location of draining depends on the design and available facilities such as storm water drains.

Benefits of ground gutters

There are many benefits of having ground gutters. These include:

  1. Preventing foundation damage

The gutters help to guide water away from the foundation. This ensures that the soil near the foundation does not expand and exert pressure on the foundation walls. Ground gutters are an effective way of preventing bowed basement walls from occurring.

  1. Ensure protection during rainstorms

Roof gutters help to capture runoff from the roof and protect the foundation walls. However, when there is a rainstorm, the gutters may be overwhelmed. The ground gutters help to ensure the protection of the foundation by capturing any overflow.

  1. Act as a backup in case of failure of roof gutters

Roof drainage systems can fail for many reasons. This includes when they are full of debris or are damaged. Having a backup system ensures that your foundation remains safe even as you find a solution for the problem with your roof gutters.

 

 

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What is Carbon Fiber and Why Should You Care? Houston, TX

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Carbon Fiber is a man-made, super strong, lightweight material. Mass production of it has made it more affordable and more widely used across multiple industries.

In recent years, foundation repair contractors are using it in residential foundation repair applications.

Carbon fiber is super lightweight and comes in a woven fiber sheet. If you don’t know what carbon fiber is, at first glance it seems like a hoax. It doesn’t seem like this material would be able to repair your basement wall. But if you understand it is the same material used in airplanes and bullet proof vests it makes more sense.

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Carbon fiber can also be melted down into a liquid and formed into liquid metal. So, instead of a sheet it can be molded into all sorts of items. If you hear about Kevlar helmets, vests or other safety equipment it is actually melted down and formed carbon fiber.

In a foundation repair application, carbon fiber is used in multiple ways. It can be used as staples to repair a structural crack. Carbon fiber staples are used with epoxy to create a rigid hold on a moving crack.

The other application is to use a carbon fiber sheet to fix a bowed concrete block wall. The carbon fiber needs to be tied to the framing of the house to secure the foundation to the newly stabilized foundation. Carbon fiber foundation repair is an alternative method to steel I-beams and wall anchors that are commonly used to fix a bowed block wall.

If you are getting a quote from a foundation repair contractor and they say they are going to use carbon fiber repair or carbon fiber staples to repair a crack, don’t be scared or skeptical. They are using a high-tech material that is stronger than steel.

Wall Cracks | Atlanta, GA | StablWall

Common Misconceptions about Foundation Cracks – Toledo, OH

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If you’ve spotted some foundation cracks, you’re probably searching the internet for more information about them and what you should do. It is not uncommon to come across misleading information.

As a homeowner, you’re not expected to know or understand all the information about foundation cracks that you come across. However, it is important to verify this information. Taking action on misleading information can result in damage that could be even more expensive to repair.

The following are common misconceptions that you should avoid when it comes to the repair of cracks in foundations:

  • Cracks originate from problems that occurred when laying the foundation

Although some cracks are caused by problems that originated during the construction phase, some cracks are caused by problems that occur underneath the foundation. The condition of the soil that surrounds the foundation plays a major role in determining the health of the foundation. It is therefore important to ensure that this soil is healthy and able to support your foundation.

  • You can use hi-tech sealants to permanently fix cracks in foundations

Modern sealants made of polyurethane or epoxy are quite effective in sealing foundation cracks. They are strong and flexible. They do a great job for patchwork but aren’t a permanent solution for foundation cracks.

Cracks in the foundation are often a sign of a deeper problem. If the issue that caused the cracks in the first place is not addressed, then further damage to your foundation will occur. In some cases, the damage may be worse than the cracks you fixed with the sealant.

  • It’s better to replace a damaged foundation than to repair it

Unsuspecting homeowners may be tricked by unscrupulous contractors into replacing their foundations instead of repairing them. They are under the misguided notion that replacing, although more expensive, is a long lasting solution.

A truly experienced contractor will tell you that this isn’t always the best solution. As mentioned previously, it is important to determine the underlying cause of foundation damage before determining what solution to apply.

Replacing the damaged foundation may not always solve the problem. You’re just placing a new foundation that will likely suffer the same fate as the old one.

  • You can ignore small cracks in a concrete foundation

It is true that concrete cracks as it settles. However, small cracks in foundations can result in more serious problems as they allow water to seep through. Any and all foundation cracks ought to be inspected by a professional to ensure that the underlying cause is identified.

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Why Carbon Fiber is the Best Solution for Cracking Basement Walls – Lexington, KY

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When the soil surrounding your foundation is saturated with water, it can exert a lot of pressure on the walls of your foundation. The pressure can result in cracking basement walls. Cracks in foundation walls can result in the destabilization of the entire structure of your home. If you want to ensure that your home is safe you will need to ensure that your foundation is repaired quickly.

One common method of repairing foundations today is by applying carbon fiber in the form of strips or grids. Carbon fiber is a common choice in foundation repair because it makes repair easy as well as more affordable for home owners.

What is carbon fiber?

Carbon fiber is formed from nylon fiber. The nylon fiber is baked at 3000 degrees. The result is a change in its chemical structure to a much stronger compound i.e. carbon fiber. The carbon fiber is extremely strong for its weight. The resulting strands of carbon can be woven together or placed parallel to each to produce an exceptionally strong material that can be used for construction.

Carbon fiber has undergone various tests to prove its strength. It has been proven to be 10 times stronger than steel when under tension.

Reasons to use carbon fiber for cracking basement walls
  • Non-invasive installation

If you don’t want to have holes in your basement walls, then carbon fiber is the best solution for you. The installation of carbon fiber strips is always non-invasive. It involves the use of an epoxy adhesive that does not contain VOCs. You therefore don’t have to leave your home to get away from dangerous fumes or the noise of the construction. It is a completely safe and quick solution.

  • High tensile strength

Carbon fiber has one of the highest tensile strengths amongst construction materials available today. It will not break even under very high tension. This characteristic is especially important when it comes to the repair of cracked foundation walls. You need a material that will not crack, break or stretch under the pressure from the surrounding soils.

  • Long lasting solution

The carbon fiber straps are a long term solution for cracking basement walls. They will not rust even when exposed to high moisture levels. They also will not deteriorate. This is the perfect solution for those looking for a quick and affordable way to repair cracks in their basement walls.

Bowing Cinder Block | Chicago, IL | StablWall

The Dangers of a Bowing Foundation Wall

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Bowing Foundation Wall

Have you noticed cracks on your foundation wall? These are some of the early signs of a bowing foundation wall. This is a serious problem that is caused by inward pressure acting against the foundation wall.

In many instances, the inward pressure is caused by soil or water in the soil. The bowing occurs when the pressure against the wall exceeds the strength of the wall to counteract it. The result is the inward bowing of the wall.

Why You Should Be Concerned

If you’ve noticed that you have a bowing foundation wall, it is important to get it attended to as soon as possible. The following are some reasons why bowing of the foundation walls shouldn’t be ignored:

  1. The wall may collapse

Ignoring the foundation wall is not the answer. Your situation will not get any better. It is only bound to get worse. If not attended to as soon as possible, the foundation wall is likely to collapse under the pressure acting against it. Your foundation is an integral part of your building. If it collapses, your building will not have the support it did before and is likely to collapse as well.

  1. Fixtures and pipes will be damaged

Whether the wall collapses or not, it will affect the fixtures and pipes that run along or within it. The bowing may result in bending of fixtures or increased pressure on fixtures. This will result in damage that can be expensive to repair. The damage may also result in a chain reaction of different problems including risks of electrocution, burst gas pipes and much more.

  1. Bowing may result in moisture problems

Wall cracks often characterize a bowing foundation wall. These cracks allow water from the surrounding soil to seep through. This will result in water problems in the basement including mold infestations, damp, rot, flooding and much more. These problems are not only a nuisance but may affect your health. They are also quite expensive to recover from.

  1. Bowing causes other structural problems

Even if the bowing in your foundation wall doesn’t appear severe, the truth is that it will cause other structural problems. You may experience sticking of windows or doors, cracks in doorways and other structural problems.

It is always a good idea to have a bowing foundation wall repaired as soon as you notice it. This will prevent the development of even more serious problems. Contact us today!

bowing foundation walls

Signs of a Bowing Foundation Wall

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Bowing Foundation Wall

Foundation walls are meant to provide support to the entire structure of your home. They are therefore an important part of the home. However, even these walls can succumb to the wear and tear of external pressures.

Foundation walls are designed to withstand vertical forces acting on them. A bowing foundation wall is often the result of lateral forces acting on the wall. These forces include pressure from the soil surrounding the foundation. Although foundation walls are also built to be resistant to lateral forces, these forces can sometimes be too much for the walls. This is often the case in areas with high water tables or after heavy downpour.

How to tell that you have a bowing foundation wall

Diagnosing bowing in foundation walls can be difficult. That is if you don’t know what to look for. There are various signs and symptoms that indicate your foundation walls are bowing. These symptoms vary depending on the actual construction of the basement walls. The following are some of the most common signs in:

  1. Block Foundations
  • Stair step cracks – As the wall bows inward, the wall develops cracks along the mortar joints of the block foundation wall. These cracks can be noticed on either the outside or inside of the foundation walls.
  • Horizontal cracks – cracks may also occur horizontally along the mortar joints
  • Tipping – the wall may be seen to tip inward. This can be noticed along the top of the wall
  • Horizontal shearing – this may be noticed along the bottom of the wall.
  1. Poured concrete foundations
  • Vertical or horizontal cracks – these may be the result of settling. Keep close watch to the foundation cracks to see if they are growing in size.
  • Diagonal cracks – these can be spotted on the foundation wall corners. These are often a clear sign of a bowing foundation wall.
  • Wall tipping

What to do

If you’ve noticed that your wall is bowing, it is important to ensure that you have the wall repaired as soon as possible. Bowing is an indication of the failure of your foundation. Bowing is also a sign of extreme lateral forces acting on the foundation.

Search for a foundation repair contractor with experience. It is best to compare at least three quotations for foundation repair from different contractors. This will help you get the best value for your money.

Don’t wait for the problem to become even worse. Ensure that you have your foundation repaired as soon as possible.