Why Are My Walls Bowing?

The process of bowing is a damaging one that presents a unique set of challenges to any Hickory homeowner looking to address the issue. Bowing walls are caused, to put it simply, by an excess of lateral pressure or by the uneven distribution of weight in a property’s structure. Concrete has fractional tensile strength in comparison to its compressive strength.

The usual cause of bowing walls in properties with basements is an excess of hydrostatic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure is simply the weight of the soil and the water that it contains combined. All properties are built to withstand this to a certain degree, of course, but there are many things that can cause hydrostatic pressure to rise beyond reasonable and tolerable levels for your home. Heavy rainfall, blocked drains, and localized flooding are just a few examples of issues that can lead to increased hydrostatic pressure and bowing walls.

There is also a chance that foundation damage is the underlying cause of bowing walls in your home. This can happen when the movement of a foundation removes support from a wall or places too much weight onto a wall. While your walls have impressive load-bearing capabilities, they cannot take more than they are designed to. If your foundation is sitting at an angle or the wall has already started to tilt, then they also may start to bow. Of course, if you notice the early signs of damage, you may be able to prevent walls from bowing visibly. Look for spreading or leaking cracks, increased humidity, and mold formation in your home.