Water exerts constant pressure against foundations and retaining walls if it cannot drain away through natural means or water management systems that allow it to flow away from your home’s foundation. When retaining walls or other foundation structures fail or become damaged, we can use our wall anchoring methods to extend and maximize the life of existing walls if they are still structurally sound.

Hydrostatic pressure refers to the force that water in soil places on retaining walls. Water is very heavy, and when it is under pressure it works endlessly to find cracks or weak points it can exploit to move to an area of lower pressure, such as your basement or the other side of foundational walls. Under constant pressure, sturdy walls can eventually bow, crack, or cave in. Weakened walls can lose integrity quickly if heavy rains or flood waters create sudden hydrostatic pressure increases. When walls still retain their structural integrity, anchors can be a cost-effective foundation repair option that significantly extends a foundation’s lifespan without creating significant disruption.

Anchors are typically placed into sturdy, compact soil around a house’s foundation and then connected by steel  rods of variable length through walls to be connected to an interior steel plate. When properly arranged, the anchor rods are securely tightened, countering the pressure of soil from outside. Over a managed period, the tension applied through anchors works to pull walls back into alignment and proper weight-bearing functionality.

The wall anchoring systems we install are low-impact solutions compared to more invasive foundation repairs. They often return walls to stable positions with little structural disturbance to walls or the landscape surrounding a house. When we can use anchors, they are less expensive and take less time to install than removing and replacing damaged walls. After installation, anchors require little to maintain their functioning position.

Houses in our region have foundations and retaining walls built with poured concrete, blocks, stone, and timber. The anchoring systems we design and install can work on a wide variety of wall types and can be put in place throughout the year. We inspect your foundation and retaining walls to go over the materials in use in your home, the extent of damage, and the types of anchoring materials that might be appropriate to correct issues. 

Block walls can use solid or hollow blocks, which require different types of plates and ties that properly distribute pressure in the areas needed to stabilize the wall. Brick walls require a careful inspection to select the proper system to match the brick type and condition of the mortar holding the bricks in place. 

The American Standard Foundation Repair team comprises homeowners like yourself who understand the stress and uncertainty that comes with concerns about foundation problems or failures. Our owner Jae Wells serves as president of the National Foundation Repair Association, and our inspectors are nationally certified. We proudly serve fellow homeowners throughout the Mid-South from our Memphis, Knoxville, and Rogers, AR offices.

Contact us today with your questions about foundation repair and remediation. We look forward to being of service.