Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Gorilla Wall Braces if my basement wall is… _{• wood, brick or a rock basement wall? • leaking? Water is coming in basement? • bowing in more than 3 inches? • sheared off the bottom block row? • NOT fully attached to the top sill plate?}

_{• bowing towards the outside? • a “knee wall”? (a short wall typically 3 ft) • opposite of walk-out basement wall?}

Gorilla Wall Braces are not recommended unless installed by a qualified contractor. Please CONTACT US to find one of our professional contractors near you.

Do Gorilla Wall Braces come with the required steel beams?

No – the steel beams are NOT included. Everything else is included (floor brace, bolts, washers, bracing assembly) except the steel beam. Steel beams are obtained locally or if you do not have a local supplier, we have partnered with MetalsDepot.com to offer our customers a 10% discount to purchase their steel beams online (coupon emailed with order receipt). They also offer quantity discounts – see more info.

Where do I find the required steel beams for Gorilla Wall Braces?

Do a google search for “steel i beams near (where you live)”. They can be found at home improvement stores or metal fabricators. If you are not able to find a local supplier, we have partnered with MetalsDepot.com to offer our customers a 10% discount on their steel beams – see more info.

How far apart should I space my Gorilla Wall Braces?

Spacing requirements for Gorilla Wall Braces based on our engineering specifications…

• 32″ spacing for 8″ block basement walls

• 48″ spacing for 10″ or 12″ block walls and poured basement walls

(block measurement is the depth of the block – from the inside of your basement to the dirt outside – how thick the wall is)

If basement wall is cracked in different directions – use the 32″ beam spacing.

What kind of steel beams do I need for Gorilla Wall Braces?

*Be sure to only use the steel beams recommended by our engineer to achieve the required yield strength and ensure a precise fit to our Gorilla Wall Brace kits.*

Requirements for basement walls under 8′ high (and soil level under 7′)…

• steel H-beam, 13 lbs per foot – W 4 x 13 lb (4.16″ x .280″ x 4.06″) A572/A992 Steel (choose 4″ idler) – Beam at MetalsDepot

• steel I beam, 9.5 lbs per foot – S 4 x 9.5 lb (4.00″ x .326″ x 2.796″) A36/A572-50 Standard Steel (choose 3″ idler) – Beam at MetalsDepot

• 2″ x 4″ tube steel at 1/4″ thickness (2” side goes against wall to ensure proper yield strength — choose 2″ idler) – Beam at MetalsDepot

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Requirements for basement walls 8′ or higher (and soil level 7′ or higher)…

• steel H-beam, 13 lbs per foot – W 4 x 13 lb (4.16″ x .280″ x 4.06″) A572/A992 Steel (choose 4″ idler)

• 2″ x 4″ tube steel at 5/16″ thickness (2” side goes against wall to ensure proper yield strength — choose 2″ idler)

How do I know what size Pushing Rod Idler to select?

The size of the Pushing Rod Idler matches the required steel beams specifications…

• Select 4″ Idler if using the H beam

• Select 3″ Idler if using the I-beam

• Select 2″ Idler if using the 2″x4″ tube steel

NOTE: Each Pushing Rod Idler is designed to fit the recommended steel beam like a glove – so the 2″, 3″ or 4″ are not exact measurements as they are sized to each beam. Please know which steel beam you are using before ordering Gorilla Wall Braces so you order the correct Pushing Rod Idler size.

How long will it take to get my basement wall straight with Gorilla Wall Braces?

While there is no guarantee that basement walls will return back to plumb, we have had customers see immediate results – others take weeks, months, or years before their basement walls return to plumb – it depends on soil conditions and if excavated on outside.

Do I need to excavate right next to my basement wall?

No. You can excavate a narrow trench up to 1.5 feet away from your wall. Using a trencher is acceptable as long as it can excavate down to the depth of your footer.

If I excavate on the outside, do I have to excavate down to the depth of the footer?

YES! If you don’t excavate down to the depth of the bottom of your wall, you risk introducing another wall break/crack where your excavation stopped.

Do you ship to Canada, Hawaii, or Alaska?

Yes. Orders shipping outside the continental USA will be charged actual shipping charges and applicable taxes/tariffs. If you are shipping to Alaska or Hawaii, please EMAIL US your order for us to calculate the shipping/taxes/tariffs.

Ooops – I ordered the wrong wall braces. Can I return purchased Gorilla Wall Braces?

Yes. But please be aware that Customer is responsible for all actual shipping costs (to/from, even if received “free” shipping) plus a 15% processing/restocking fee for any products returned that are not defective. Be sure you are ordering the correct Gorilla Wall Braces for your wall as shipping is very expensive. Call us if you are not sure: 800-831-2559

Is there any type of warranty on Gorilla Wall Braces?

Yes. Any goods proved defective will be replaced or the purchase price refunded if within 4 years of purchase. The limited warranty described herein is in lieu of any other warranty, expressed or implied, including an implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular use. The user is soley responsible to determine the suitability of the product for its intended use. Liability for any incidental or consequential damage or loss is excluded.

My floor joists are sistered/doubled/tripled. Can I use Gorilla Wall Braces?

Yes. Our perpendicular bracket is “L” shaped so you can use longer bolts for wider installation applications. One note with that: be very aware of drilling through straight. Our backer support plate on the opposite side has oval shaped holes to give you some leeway but if you’re off just a little bit, it’s greatly amplified drilling through a longer span.

Another note, make sure one bolt is ½” longer to accommodate the tube support brackets going to the adjacent floor joist.

Do Gorilla Wall Braces meet building codes?

Building codes vary widely across different states/localities. Our products have been tested by our engineer and to our knowledge, exceed the requirements required across the United States, except seismic (which we have not tested). In some localities, you will need to hire a local structural engineer to assess your wall reinforcement solution. Please check and provide us feedback to what your local requirements are. We would be happy to share our engineering documentation with a structural engineer you hire.

I have a concrete ceiling; can I use Gorilla Wall Braces?

Yes, we have a bracket designed to be fastened to a concrete slab ceiling with 4 threaded masonry screws. You can order online and purchase the Perpendicular Bracket kit ($149.95) and mention SPANCRETE ceiling in the notes sections so we pack the appropriate top bracket (please also send an email to confirm that note). You may also order by calling 1-800-831-2559.

Will my wall go back to plumb?

There are some cases where a wall will just not go back 100% to plumb without exterior excavation. Keep trying over time to tightening monthly from spring to fall (when the ground is thawed). Be sure to do everything you can to reduce moisture near your foundation which will dry out the soil and create air gaps that can allow you to compress the soil. Be sure you are following our tightening instructions properly.

Can you explain the different types of steel beams that I can use with Gorilla Wall Braces?

Yes!
– steel H-beam, 13 lbs per foot – W 4 x 13 lb (4.16″ x .280″ x 4.06″) A572/A992 Steel (choose 4″ idler) *Best beam all-around but heavy

*Has highest yield strength – required for wall heights above 8’ or soil backfill heights above 7’

*Largest flange width – least compressive pressure against the wall (some of our contractors have also placed a ¼” thick 12” wide steel plate behind their beams the runs the entire height of the wall to capture more surface area if needed)

– steel I beam, 9.5 lbs per foot – S 4 x 9.5 lb (4.00″ x .326″ x 2.796″) A36/A572-50 Standard Steel (choose 3″ idler) *Ideal beam for wall heights under 8’ (most of our contractors use this beam)

*Lighter/easier to work with than 13lbs H beam

*Larger surface area against the wall than 2×4 tube steel – preferred if using on block walls

– 2″ x 4″ tube steel at 1/4″ thickness (2” side goes against wall to ensure proper yield strength — choose 2″ idler)

*Most economical beam

*Lightest beam

*Works ideally for poured walls as long as you don’t have a lot of cracking

*2” side goes against the wall to give it the required yield strength – least surface area against the wall (potential downside but fine on poured walls or block walls that are structurally sound)

*Can purchase a 2×4 beam with a thicker wall thickness (3/8”) for walls heights 8’ or taller

How to Measure Steel Beam Locations

*Be sure to only use the steel beams recommended by our engineer to achieve the required yield strength and ensure a precise fit to our Gorilla Wall Brace kits.*


PARALLEL: Measure from the bottom of the floor joist to the basement floor. You will have room to variate on length from the bottom of your floor joist to the sub-floor.


PERPENDICULAR: This is a precise measurement. To obtain the correct measurement of your steel beams, be sure to measure EACH brace location individually just in case there are irregularities in your concrete floor. Measure from the bottom of the floor joist to the basement floor and subtract 5/8″. That 5/8″ subtraction will accommodate the 1/4″ floor bracket your steel beam will sit on and give you 3/8″ clearance on top.