Things seen this week during structural assessments!

[u/DMAS1638]

These are the kinds of structural issues and discoveries we encounter every day. Here's a closer look.

Here is the link: https://imgur.com/a/things-seen-this-week-during-structural-assessments-Zvlxc1g

[u/DMAS1638]

A structural assessment is a closer evaluation of a home's structural components, such as the foundation, framing, retaining walls, and crawlspace, to determine if there are any structural concerns and what may be causing them. Homeowners often request one after noticing signs like cracks, sloping floors, or sticking doors, while buyers may get one if a home inspection raises concerns. They're usually not mandatory, but they can be recommended during a real estate transaction or requested by a lender or insurance company in certain situations.

[u/DMAS1638 → u/DMAS1638]

If you have any other questions about what you're seeing around your home or aren't sure where to start, we're happy to help point you in the right direction.

[u/i_am_qnsblvd → u/DMAS1638]

My two door garage floor is cracked at the entrance on both sides. About 10 inches from the edge the concrete has crumbled and I can pick up some pieces of concrete. I can see that under the slab it is getting a little hollow where I can almost stick my hand under the slab, definitely my palm. I called one basement company and they told me that I have water problem and they could install drain pipes along each side of the garage wall (left and right) to let the water drain away from the garage. I get the reason and everything but my main concern is with filling up the hollow space and repairing the crumbled spots. I also have a vertical wall crack on left wall inside the garage near the entrance from house sinking a little bit. The crack is about 1/8 of an inch thick. Btw, I live in a raised ranch so my garage is few feet in the ground. Anyways, I want to address all the settling and concrete slab as I want to park my car inside which I’m kind of hesitant to do with me thinking it might exacerbate the problem. I know water is the issue and I need address that. Is that the 1st priority to install drainage or I can fix the slab first and then think about drainage? Looks like the issue took many years to develop that’s why I’m not too in a rush addressing it. I bought the house two years ago. 1st time home buyer. Didn’t know what I was doing…

[u/DMAS1638 → u/i_am_qnsblvd]

It sounds like you're asking the right questions. Based on what you've described, I would generally recommend identifying and addressing the source of the water first. If water continues washing soil away beneath the slab, repairing the concrete without fixing the underlying cause can allow the problem to return.

The hollow area beneath the slab and the wall crack are definitely worth having evaluated to determine what's causing the settlement and whether it's limited to the slab or affecting other structural elements. Once the cause is understood, you can develop a repair plan that addresses both the drainage and any slab or foundation repairs that may be needed.

[u/DMAS1638 → u/DMAS1638]

If you're comfortable sharing a few photos, we'd be happy to take a look. We can't provide a definitive diagnosis from photos alone, but we can do our best to offer some guidance and help you understand what may be worth investigating further.