Bowed Wall Repair Instructions
In just 8 simple steps (Video Included)
PLEASE READ ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY & WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES DURING INSTALLATION
Step 1: PREP AND GRIND
a. Lay plastic or drop cloth around work surface
b. Measure and mark locations of the straps
c. Grind the vertical length of the foundation wall where carbon fiber strap will beinstalled. Remove paint, coatings and glossy surfaces to achieve a “Bare Foundation”
(Even uncoated blocks need to be ground to expose the aggregate in the blocks)
d. Round top corner of block where strap will be located
e. Carbon Fiber strap should span from sill plate to floor
f. Remove caulk/latex/loose mortar/etc. from mortar joints
g. Use opposing mortor joints as a guide
*Read and follow all EPA and OSHA safety practices
Tools: Marker, measuring tape, plastic or drop cloth, grinder
- 01: Sill Plate
- 02: Sill Plate Bracket
- 03: Carbon Fiber Strap
- 04: Carbon Fiber Pin
- 05: Concrete Floor
- 06: Obstacle
- 07: Adjust spacing as necessary to avoid obstacles
- Max spacing is 2’ on corners and 4’ on center across the wall.
Step 2: REPAIR CRACKS
a. Repair all cracks by using hydraulic cement or RCF High Strength Anchoring Epoxy Paste
before installing carbon fiber
*Wall must be completely bare and clean with cracks/deep mortar joints filled before applying carbon fiber
*Check our Rhino tuck point instruction video on YouTube for reference
Tools: Hammer drill, hydraulic cement or RCF High Strengh Anchoring Epoxy Paste
Step 3: SILL PLATE PREP
a. Mark drill holes with pencil or pen for the sill plate bracket
b. Make sure the sill plate bracket is level with the top of the foundation wall and
centered over the area where the strap will be installed
*An uneven bracket could cause splitting and damage to the sill plate
c. Pre-drill holes using a power drill with a 1/4” drill bit
d. Pre-drilled holes will ensure a secure connection between the carbon fiber, sill plate
Tools: Pencil/pen, power drill with 1/4” Bit
Step 4: DRILL FOOTING
a. Using a hammer drill, pre-drill a 3/4” hole at the center of the prepped carbon fiber location
b. Drill hole as close to vertical as possible against the base of the wall.
c. If the floor is sound, pinning to the floor is sufficient.
d. If the floor is being removed or is deteriorated, remove floor and pin directly to the footer.
Tools: Hammer drill
Step 5: ATTACH SILL PLATE
TIP: Lay carbon fiber on a piece of cardboard
a. Apply epoxy to the top 8” of the carbon fiber, spread epoxy so that the strap is saturated
b. Lay bracket flush with the top of the carbon fiber
c. Roll bracket and carbon fiber twice to ensure the wrap is tight
Tools: Tape measure, latex gloves, and epoxy gun
Step 6: MOUNT
a. Mount the saturated carbon fiber wrapped sill plate bracket unit
b. Check the level of Sill Plate Bracket to ensure a secure fit to sill plate
c. Fasten sill plate bracket to the sill plate using the supplied (2) 3/8” x 2” lag bolts
and (2) washers
Tools: Drill, level, lag bolts, and flat washers
Step 7: EPOXY
Tip: roll carbon fiber and sit on sill plate so that it is out of the way
a. Apply an even coat of epoxy to the wall over the entire area where the strap will meet the wall
b. Once a sufficient coating of epoxy is applied to foundation wall, lay the carbon fiber
strap over the applied epoxy making sure that the carbon fiber strap is straight and tight
c. Work the carbon fiber into the epoxy with trowel, spatula, roller, or gloved hands.
d. Apply a second layer of epoxy on top of the carbon fiber and lightly spread the epoxy with a putty knife to provide an even finish
Tools: Putty knife, gloves, epoxy adhesive, epoxy gun, and static nozzle
Step 8: ANCHOR
a. Secure bottom of the carbon fiber strap as per the diagram below
b. If there is extra carbon fiber, cut the excess at this time (leave 6” to 8” of carbon fiber beyond the bottom of the wall for the sheer pin)
c. Fill the hole with epoxy and saturate the remainder of the strap
d. Fold bottom of the strap to make a point (triangle tip) then twist to create the pin
e. Insert the pin into the hole and top off with epoxy
FINAL STEP
f. Use light strokes with a putty knife to spread epoxy evenly, focusing on the edges for a clean and secure installation
g. Make sure the strap is tightly adhered to the wall all the way to the floor
Tools: Gloves, epoxy gun, and putty knife
• 01: Fold and twist the end of the carbon fiber strap to make a pin
• 02: Fill the hole with epoxy and place carbon fiber twisted pin inside the hole
• 03: After the pin is inserted, make sure the strap has tightly adhered to the wall
• 04: Top off the hole with epoxy
When waterproofing, or if the floor is deteriorated, the strap can be
pinned to the footer.