Byron Center, MI - Retaining Wall Saved by Geo-Lock Anchors

Friday, October 24th, 2014 by Jared McCarthy

Challenge

Soil settlement had caused a crack and was threatening to collapse the retaining wall along the side of this homeowner’s backyard. Over a period of several months, the crack grew and the wall started to bow outwards. It was finally time to call Ayers Basement Systems and have the problem resolved.

As with any structural wall, a crack in a retaining wall will never go away and will only get worse over time.

Solution

Because it was an exterior wall that had bowed, common techniques such as steel support beams could not be used. However, Ayers was able to use a Basement Systems patented product call Geo-Lock anchors.

Geo-Lock anchors are used to support bowing walls by connecting two steel plates together with a steel rod. This works by installing one plate deep in the soil away from the wall and one directly against the bowing wall. Once the two plates are in place, a long galvanized steel rod connects them. The rod is strong enough to stop the wall from further bowing, and it can even be tightened over time to correct the problem entirely.

The homeowner was very happy with the result!