When my holes are ready, I set an I-beam in each. I place each I-beam tight against the wall, hold it plumb, and brace it in place with a 2x10 block or a piece of 3x3 1/4-inch angle iron, lag bolted into the joists above (Figure 4). The I-beam contacts the wall wherever the wall is farthest out (usually in the middle for block walls and at the top for poured walls).

Figure 4.A worker braces the top of an I-beam tight against the top of the leaning wall (top). The 2x10 brace is fastened to the existing floor joists using 3/8-inch lag bolts sunk into predrilled holes (bottom). Three-inch by three-inch angle iron can be used instead of the 2x10 block. This step is easier with two people -- one to hold the...

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