Things seen this week during structural assessments!

Vertical cracks in retaining walls can be a serious concern, especially when one section of the wall is completely separated from the adjoining end. This separation can allow the wall sections to rotate away from each other, causing them to settle, shift, and move at different rates and in different directions.

The cripple wall is rotating out of plane and is structurally compromised. With the loss of support, it is no longer effectively carrying loads and is essentially unsupported in place.

And for my next trick I will make this garage float…

CMU block walls commonly fail due to inadequate drainage. Proper drainage is critical to relieve hydrostatic pressure that builds up behind the wall. Effective drainage solutions include installing a swale at the top of the wall to direct surface runoff away from the structure, incorporating weep holes to allow water to escape from behind the wall, and providing subsurface drainage systems to safely redirect water away from the wall.

These wood structural members are visibly compromised. The staining present is a strong indicator of prolonged exposure to moisture. The underlying source of water intrusion must be addressed to prevent continued deterioration.

The subfloor shows significant deterioration from long-term moisture exposure. The affected area appears weakened to the point where it may not safely support foot traffic.

One way ticket to… the crawlspace.

This almost looks like one of those I Spy pages. I spy with my little eye a lunchbox… a ball… a bucket of Purina dog food… and, of course, some expansive soil causing problems.

The porch is showing movement and has visible cracking and separation which indicate an underlying structural problem that require prompt attention.