I-Beam Installation Services
Guardian Foundation Repair, LLC offers I-Beam Installation Services in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Tri-Cities!
For below grade walls that have over an inch of displacement or shearing, most engineers recommend installing W6x16 I-Beams anchored to the floor systems above and below with 1/2″ bolts. The gaps between the wall and the I-beam are then filled with high strength mortar to further reduce movement.
The type of I-beam we use is a W6”x16” (unless specified differently by an engineer), anchored to slab below and bolted onto the floor system above with ½ inch bolts. Gaps behind the I-beam are filled with a high strength mortar. In some cases wood blocking must be added to the floor system above to prevent twisting and movement of wood framing. If the blocks are sheered or displaced, carbon fiber is not an adequate repair. I-beams will need to be installed on 4’-6’ centers and in some cases, the wall will need to be filled with concrete.
Some of Our Recent I-Beam Installation Work
Guardian Foundation Repair Testimonials
Guardian Came Through!
I had a significant issue with my homes basement walls. Guardian came through with the best solution and price. I highly recommend this company for any foundation issues. Extremely professional with attention to detail and military precision.
Great Team!
We had a very pleasant experience dealing with guardian. They have a great team that knows what they are doing!
Under Time and Under Budget!
Great work in a timely manner. Did some block work and completed it under time and under budget. Great experience.
Great Work!
Closet doors are closing again!! Thanks for leveling our house where it had settled and broken the floor tile and made the doors jam up. Great work, clean respectful workers. No smoking, etc and I didn’t even have to ask!
Highly Recommend!
The whole process was great. They were super transparent up front with what needed to be done and cost. Once they arrived to fix everything they kept in contact with progress and did a great job. Highly recommend them for any foundation related issues.
Genuinely Care!
A job well done! The work was performed in a timely and professional manner. Each person I spoke with seemed to genuinely care about correcting the problem and not just completing a job. I am very pleased and highly recommend Guardian Repair for any foundation issues.
My Go-To for Foundation Issues
We have used Guardian on several homes and rental properties. They are efficient, dependable and very clean! They are my go-to for any foundation issues!
Common Questions About I-Beam Installation
When does a wall need i-beams rather than carbon fiber?
When a below grade wall has more than about an inch of displacement or shearing. At that point most engineers recommend i-beams. If the blocks are sheared or displaced, carbon fiber is not an adequate repair and beams need to go in.
What size beam do you use?
A W6 by 16 i-beam, unless an engineer specifies something different for the situation. It is anchored to the slab below and bolted to the floor system above with half inch bolts.
What is the mortar behind the beam for?
The gaps between the wall and the beam get filled with a high strength mortar. That closes the space so the wall bears evenly against the beam instead of flexing into the gap, which further reduces movement.
Why would wood blocking be added upstairs?
In some cases the floor system above needs blocking added to keep the wood framing from twisting or moving once the beam is loading against it. It is not needed on every job, but where the framing calls for it, it is part of doing the repair properly.
Still have a question? Call us at (865) 675-4177 and we will talk it through. The inspection and the estimate are both free.