--- title: "Frequently Asked Questions – Do-It-Yourself Basement Solutions" description: "Steel beam sizing, spacing, excavation, shipping, and warranty questions about Gorilla Wall Braces® — answered." canonical: "https://diybasementsolutions.com/faq/" --- # Frequently Asked Questions Do-It-Yourself and SAVE -- Family-Owned Since 1967 ## Answers About Gorilla Wall Braces® and Our Products [Installation](#faq-cat-installation)[Steel Beams](#faq-cat-steel-beams)[Results](#faq-cat-results)[Shipping & Returns](#faq-cat-shipping--returns) ### Installation Can I use Gorilla Wall Braces if my basement wall is wood, brick, rock, leaking, crumbling, bowing more than 3 inches, sheared off the bottom block row, not attached to the sill plate, tilting, bowing outward, a knee wall, or opposite of a walk-out? Gorilla Wall Braces® are not recommended in these situations unless installed by a qualified contractor, or unless Hold-Right® Wall Anchors or Carbon Fiber are used instead. Please [CONTACT US](https://diybasementsolutions.com/bowing-basement-wall-repair-options) to find one of our professional contractors near you for repair options. 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 or crack where your excavation stopped. ### Steel Beams Do Gorilla Wall Braces come with the required steel beams? No – the steel beams are NOT included. Steel beams must be obtained locally, as the cost for us to ship them to you would be extraordinarily high. If you do not have a local supplier, check out [our steel beam guide](https://gorillawallbraces.com/steel-beams) for purchasing options, including a 10% discount for Gorilla Wall Brace® customers — [see more info](https://gorillawallbraces.com/steel-beams). 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, check out [our steel beam guide](https://gorillawallbraces.com/steel-beams) — it includes a 10% discount on steel beam purchases for Gorilla Wall Brace® customers — [see more info](https://gorillawallbraces.com/steel-beams). 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 your basement wall is cracked in different directions, use the closer spacing of steel beams. What kind of steel beams do I need for Gorilla Wall Braces? 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) - 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) - 2″ x 4″ tube steel at 1/4″ thickness (2″ side goes against the wall to ensure proper yield strength — choose 2″ idler) 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 3/8″ thickness (2″ side goes against the 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 your steel beam specifications: - Select the 4″ idler if using the H-beam - Select the 3″ idler if using the I-beam - Select the 2″ idler if using 2″ x 4″ tube steel Note: each Pushing Rod Idler is designed to fit its recommended steel beam like a glove, so the 2″, 3″, and 4″ sizes are not exact measurements — 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. ### Results 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 some customers see immediate results — others take weeks, months, or years before their walls return to plumb. It depends on soil conditions. ### Shipping & Returns 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](https://diybasementsolutions.com/contact) your order for us to calculate the shipping, taxes, and tariffs. For Canadian customers we now offer shipping costs directly on our website. That shipping cost covers the extra shipping cost, taxes, and tariffs, which has been anywhere from $20–$50 additional per kit. All pricing is in US dollars. Ooops – I ordered the wrong wall braces. Can I return purchased Gorilla Wall Braces? Yes. But please be aware that the customer is responsible for all shipping costs (to and from) 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 solely responsible to determine the suitability of the product for its intended use. Liability for any incidental or consequential damage or loss is excluded. [ ### VIDEO EXPLANATION Learn why basement walls bow inward and how **Gorilla Wall Braces**® straighten bowing walls. ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfOZc2v53vM)[ ### CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS Read what others say about using **Gorilla Wall Braces**® to fix their bowing basement walls. ](https://diybasementsolutions.com/gorilla-wall-braces-reviews)[ ### ABOUT US Family-owned since 1967, we have been in the business of fixing basements for over 50 years. ](https://diybasementsolutions.com/about) **Gorilla Wall Braces**® ## The DIY Solution for Bowing Basement Walls The steel beams are NOT included with the Gorilla Wall Brace® kits. Steel beams can be obtained locally or online at our steel beam guide (a 10% MetalsDepot discount comes with your **Gorilla Wall Brace**® order — details are emailed to you). You can save thousands by using **Gorilla Wall Braces**® to fix your bowing basement walls yourself. 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