Ways to Save on Basement Anchoring

Prep Work

• The single most expensive part of the anchoring system is the specialized labor that goes into its installation. Normally, a anchoring system takes about a full day to install. Doing some of the work yourself will save a small fortune, yet much of the work here should be left to specialists. The homeowner, for instance, can drill the holes into the foundation wall, and insert the pipe. In addition, resealing the hole is an easy project. The rest, especially the installation of the earth plate anchor and its attachment, should be left to a contractor.

Anchors

• Use the very minimum number of wall anchors necessary. It is possible that hiring a foundation firm might leave you with more anchors than you need. It is difficult to argue with them when you do not know the facts of the case. Yet for minor cases of wall bowing, two or three anchors is all that is required. Depending on the size of the earth anchor, you might be able to get away with one or two. Always get a second or third opinion on these questions when a foundation anchoring firm insists on more than two anchors.

Digging

• It might be possible to save money by digging the anchor holes with professional digging equipment than by hand. Often, anchor companies dig the holes by hand for greater precision. A small backhoe might be able to dig these holes in a fraction of the time and for less labor cost.

Piers

• Avoid using push piers. These are specialty piers dug deep into the earth to support the weight of a house. These take far longer to install and are more expensive. The entire foundation must be excavated and attached to the piers, which are then drilled into the more stable earth under the foundation. If saving money is your goal, then go with piers that can be attached horizontally into the earth directly from inside the basement. It might not be as effective, but they are much cheaper to install and maintain.

Stabilizer Option

• If the basement wall is bowed inward, which is common, it is possible to buy a stabilizer bar. This is a bar that would rest on the basement floor. Stabilizer bars are normally used to support floor joists, but some might be able to bend diagonally to support a bowing foundation wall. If the bowing is not too extreme, a simple stabilizer bar resting on the basement floor and attached to the interior wall by a large pad at the other end might be just enough to keep the wall from any further damage. It will stabilize the wall, will require no digging and is easy to install and maintain. You can use the pressure to “push” the wall outward. It is not necessary, in these cases, to dig at all. This is far from a perfect solution, but it should prevent and further bowing without expensive anchoring or restructuring.