Dear Mr. Swan:
Pursuant to your request, on October 15, 2010 we analyzed the foundation of your home located
at 215 1
prior to 1900 and consists of a 2-story home with a block foundation and basement. The home is
situated at the northeast quadrant of the intersection of West Main Street and 1
Furthermore, you indicated that the home had a history of water intrusion into the basement but
that in recent years drainage improvements had been made in the area including to the adjacent
roadway (West Main Street) and that since then water intrusion has been limited to areas of the
basement floor that become wet on the surface. We measured the depth of your basement below
the adjacent ground surface to be around seven (7) blocks deep or approximately five (5) feet
below ground.
Based on our observations, we found that portions of the north, west and south walls were
severely bowed, cracked and/or buckled inward. This bowing was evident from both the interior
and exterior of the home. Some of the bowing was on the order of3" - 4" out of being vertically
plumb in relation to the top and bottom of the wall. We also observed scaling of the paint and
outer surface layer of the block, particularly on the south wall. We observed cracking of the
basement walls on the order of approximately 3116" wide. In addition, the south wall, in the
vicinity of the bowing, felt wet and crumbly to thc touch when we removed a small piece of the
outer paint surface.
Furthermore, it appeared as though the bowing of the walls indicated above has induced lateral
movement and/or compression of portions of the main floor joists to the point where interior
column, door and stairwell framing has been shifted, distorted and/or moved out of a vertically
plumb position.
We did observe water stains along portions of the basement floor and some locations at the
bottom of the basement walls and on the sides of the walls several block courses off the floor.
The largest area of cracking appeared to be on the south wall (near the washer and dryer) in
which you indicated was cracking that occurred recently as a result of heavy rains. In our
opinion, the cracking in this location appeared to be recent cracking as well based on the lack of
paint within the cracks and the lack of water stains near the cracks.
Observations on the exterior of the home confirmed the presence of rain gutters and in general,
adequate surface slope away from the home's foundation, with the exception of the north side
(driveway) which appeared relatively flat. However, from a more regional perspective, the home
appears to be situated adjacent to a street sag point (low point) created by West Main Street and
1
Based on our observations, it is our opinion that the condition of the foundation and other
structural members that have incurred lateral movement are related to and/or a direct result of
water pressures on the outside of the foundation. It is likely that reoccurring water pressures
and/or intrusion over time have weakened the foundation. However, it did appear as though
more sudden and/or rapid yielding of the walls has occurred.
Based on our observations, it is our opinion that the foundation along with the aforementioned
interior framing is not structurally stable and that failure or collapse of the foundation could
result, particularly if the foundation is subjected to additional exterior water pressure. Based on
this opinion, occupancy of the structure is not advised.
It is not clear to us whether the foundation could be repaired and realigned. Repair would
depend on the extent of deterioration of the existing block and the methods or means proposed to
realign the block and associated framing members to a structurally stable position. We
recommend contacting a Contractor experienced with this type of work. It is possible that
replacement of the affected portions of the foundation is the only feasible and long term solution
to the damaged foundation.
If there are any questions, please let us know.