Foundations’ and basements’ worst enemies are soil loads combined with water, roots, porches, concrete footers, etc. Whether it is block, poured, stone, etc. a foundation’s main purpose is to hold up the compressive load of the building, all of the mentioned building materials do just that.

However, all are weak in tensile or lateral bending. Soil loads are compounded with depth and when you add other factors such as water, roots, etc., the lateral forces surpass the foundation’s original resistance to these loads.

Over a period of time, these factors produce lateral bending or bowing. This condition also produces significant cracking. If left to it’s own devices this condition will worsen with time jeopardizing both the structural integrity and resale value of the property.

Fortunately, it is possible to stop this movement in its tracks and maintain resale value of the property by utilizing carbon fiber as tensile tendons.

Fortress Stabilization Systems of Dexter, Michigan has developed a new strategy for fighting bowed walls. It is an externally bonded reinforcing system consisting of an epoxy impregnated Carbon Fiber/Kevlar Grid which is not much thicker than paper, but with a tensile strength and elongation superior to steel. Introduced 5 yrs ago, with a patented process and many other patents pending, Fortress has been used to restore and strengthen thousands of foundation walls.