Product Spotlight: CarbonArmor
If you have a leaning or bowing wall, or even just some wall cracks that you’re worried about for the future, you may not have gotten any further than, “Oh no.” I know it’s scary to have problems with your foundation, but try to move past the oh no - the quicker you do, the more options you’ll have to prevent further damage and stabilize your walls.
It can be overwhelming to start thinking about products and projects when you suspect a problem in your home, so over the coming months I’ll be doing spotlights on individual products and breaking down the basics for you. One option, the one we’re going to focus on today, is CarbonArmor.
What is it?
The CarbonArmor wall reinforcing system consists of straps made from a fiber-reinforced polymer that’s ten times stronger than steel. The straps are attached to the wall with a special epoxy resin and secured to the joists above with steel brackets.
What does it do?
Many bowing walls are caused by constant pressure from the soil outside. By installing CarbonArmor straps, we can stabilize a wall and secure it against future bowing.
What doesn’t it do?
CarbonArmor won’t straighten your wall if it’s already bowed - although we do have a number of other solutions that will.
When is it the best application?
If you need a low profile option, CarbonArmor is a great choice. Unlike our PowerBraces and Wall Anchors, CarbonArmor barely sticks out from the wall. It can also be painted to blend in with your walls or even covered with a wall finishing. Similarly, the low profile can come in handy if you have walls that are covered in plumbing pipes or other fixtures and you just can’t spare the space.
CarbonArmor is a great early intervention option, as it can protect against future bowing while maintaining your wall’s current position. It's also a great choice if you can't do any external excavation.
Winter is a rough time for foundation walls, with temperature fluctuations doing a number on the soil around our homes. If you have a problem, or just think you might in the future, call us for a free inspection to find out which wall solution is best for your home.
