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50 ‘Nightmares’ And ‘Miracles’ Spotted During Structural Inspections (New Pics)
Interview
When was the last time you had your home or business inspected, pandas? Be honest, was it last month, or was it three weeks before you moved into the building nine years ago? We tend to assume that everything is just fine with any structure we enter because well, frankly, the idea of the roof collapsing on top of us or the floor caving in isn’t something most of us want to imagine. But unfortunately, buildings don’t last forever, so to ensure that we’ve chosen a safe space to conduct our business or live our lives, those places need to be inspected every now and then.
And who better to inspect your building than Alpha Structural, Inc.? Alpha Structural is a leader in the engineering and construction of foundation and hillside repairs, and a popular presence on the internet thanks to their social media accounts. Below, we’ve gathered photos from their famous Imgur account, featuring some of the most bizarre and shocking things structural inspectors have discovered while on the job, so we hope you enjoy these pics and remember to always have those inspections done on time.
Keep reading to also find an interview with Ben Reinhart, Vice President of Marketing for Alpha Structural, and be sure to upvote the photos you find most surprising. Then, if you’re interested in checking out Bored Panda’s previous articles featuring Alpha Structural, you can find the most recent ones right here and here!
More info: AlphaStructural.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Imgur
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
"I'm on the edge" - Lady Gaga
RELATED:
#2
Santa better have insurance.
#3
Still selling for one million dollars…
#4
Jenga! Your turn.
#5
We were called out to assess a failing deck on an ocean-front home, but the ocean had other plans.
#6
9 lives just aren’t enough.
For mummification to occur, the body must be exposed to certain conditions, including chemicals, low humidity or a lack of air, which prevent the tissue from decaying.
Crawlspaces can in fact provide just the right mix for a body to mummify. I don't know what to do with this information.
#7
Who else is bummed they missed this party?
#8
Jenga but 100x bigger!
#9
At least they placed the concrete on the dirt to avoid termites. 2 out of 10 for the effort.
#10
Interesting brickwork on that chimney you got there.
Tell me you love controlled chaos without telling me you love controlled chaos.
#11
This home was flooded due to a burst pipe. All the water damage and extra pressure it applied to the slab caused a severe crack to form.
You can see it runs across the entire length of the living room.
You can see here the slab has a offset crack, characterized by a height difference on either side of a the crack.
It can be tempting to think that cracks in concrete aren’t a cause for concern, but if they’re affecting your home’s structure, they need to be addressed. Your concrete slab is essential to your home’s structural integrity. A weak foundation can lead to the collapse of interior walls.
#13
Check out this red-tagged home we had the pleasure of visiting this week. No big deal. Just a little movement down the hill.
#14
Moisture in your crawlspace is never a good thing as it causes wood to decay. It is also an ideal habitat for mushrooms and mold
#15
During the storm a tree fell on top of this home. Luckily, no one was seriously injured, though the homeowner was sitting on their couch when their ceiling came crashing down. You can see here how their roof is completely warped from the impact. Inside, the extent of the damage is clearly visible.
P.S. the couch in question is under there somewhere.
#16
For 1 million dollars, would you spend the night in this room?
Settled for Infamy 3 years ago
Silent, motionless, and wearing a helmet, hell yes! In today's economic climate, I'm there for $100k
#17
Here we have a floating post and pier. The room above must be fun for the kids, an in-house bounce house.
#18
I think i've become an animal whisperer. They seem to be following
#20
Is it just Los Angeles drivers or does this happen everywhere? At least the driver miraculously just hit the garage and not the rooms where people were sleeping.
#21
Not one thing in this picture is aligned.
A_Cat_To_The_Past 3 years ago
WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH JENGA AND BAD CONSTRUCTION HAVE I BEEN MISSING SOMETHING?
#22
Structural dust.
Welp. Sir, your house is being supported by dust.
#23
A car plowed into the side of this church. We came out to inspect the structural damage, but the most impressive part was that there were no tire marks on the grass. It is completely pristine. How?
Was it a flying car?
#25
Just waiting on one good shake.
#26
You don't need to be an expert to know this is bad.
#27
This retaining wall needs some serious intervention before it fails.
Oh, too late.
#28
We always like a spacious crawlspace, but, as you can see, the foundation wall at the entrance has begun to deteriorate. There seems to be something growing from inside the wall.
#30
Sometimes concrete slabs crack due to improper installation procedures. They will need to be inspected by a professional to determine the cause.
Paulo Freitas 3 years ago
Dialation joints, large concrete slabs need dialation joints, concrete like everything else reacts to termodinâmics, if its hot it Will expand, if its cold it Will contract, só you need to put rubber joints on the slab ( x meters apart from eachother, depending on the size of the total área, and Im not a civil engineer, só i don't know how to calculate that ) but those rubber joints Will let the concrete " move " widout cracking.
#31
Oh, you think your deck is structurally sound. I dare you to stick a knife in it.
#32
In nature, wood rot is the natural decomposition process turning fallen logs into nutritious soil.
#33
Girders act as the intermediate support for the floor joists. They carry the bulk of the weight above them. They should not be twisting away from the post.
#34
The column looks a little worn, but at least it's not supporting a giant parking garage
#35
Next time you're on a deck you should look over the side of it and assess how structurally sound it truly is. It's a favorite party trick! People love it...
Your Local Forza Enthusiast 3 years ago
I've already tried this on my neighbor's deck.He had it professionally installed. He loved it! I would do this trick again, it's a real crowd pleaser.
#37
We wouldn't want to be the home directly below.
#38
If the structure is in an area accessed by the public, then spalling can be hazardous in terms of falling debris or trip hazards. If left unchecked, then spalling will accelerate and spread so that, eventually, the structure could become unstable.
Edda Kamphues 3 years ago
In one of my previous workplaces, I was advised not to park near a specific wall due to moisture. Everyone feared it would collapse. It was the underground carpark for a major hospital.
#39
Don't underestimate a failing retaining wall. This wall will fall, and the results will not be pretty and will ultimately end up costing more than replacing it at this stage.
#40
The biggest shim we’ve ever seen.
OnAFreakingRollercoaster 3 years ago (edited)
But but that beam is only resting on one tiny edge of the block underneath 😳😱
#41
Plummer special!
The very handy plumber dug out the foundation to place a pipe and, in the process, undermined an entire row of post and piers.
#42
If your home is sitting on a slab foundation, these are the types of cracks you do not want to see. Cracks like the ones above are a clear result of structural issues
OnAFreakingRollercoaster 3 years ago
Oh you can just patch and paint and no one will even notice /S
#43
If you're worried about foundation issues in your home, look out for these common indicators:
-Sloping or sagging floors,
-Visible cracks in ceilings,
-Gaps appearing between walls and floors,
-Walls beginning to lean or bow, or
-Floor cracks appearing.
#44
What a great life lesson... even foundation post and piers come in every size.
#45
Almost every landslide can have multiple causes. Slope movement occurs when forces acting down-slope exceed the strength of the earth materials that compose the slope. These pipe and board builds were not strong enough to hold the earth behind them
#46
The mortar used to hold the river rock together can degrade over time to the point where the rocks will fall out or could easily be pulled out.
If neglected, a distressed river rock foundation not only affects the cosmetic appeal of the home but also puts its residents at great risk.
Depending upon the circumstances, a replacement of some or all the unreinforced foundation may be necessary. Usually, homeowners preferred to “sister” the foundation. This preserves the curb appeal of the home. This option is often less costly than a replacement.
#47
Once the retaining wall is unable to withstand the force behind it, it will come crashing down. Luckily, a retaining wall does not fail without first showing warning signs. Common signs that a wall is slowly failing can include cracking in the wall, bulging of the face of the wall, and tilting. If a retaining wall shows any of these signs, it is likely time to have the wall evaluated.
#48
A car rammed into the side of a bar and took out a supporting column. By the look of it, it was already on its way out.
SealOfDisapproval 3 years ago
But, on the positive side, it revealed the contact card of a junk car buyer!
#51
This home’s access door to their California basement was located in the bathroom. I'm sure they dominated at hide & seek.
OnAFreakingRollercoaster 3 years ago
I can imagine what fun you could have sometimes with that 😅
#52
As the slab shifts into the building, the retaining walls on the side are being pushed away. This is very dangerous for the structural integrity of the building and the safety of others in the next building.
#53
The equation is simple: wood + water = decay.
Because of this, any part of the home that might be damp has the potential to result in rot, but it’s the parts of the home where there’s excess moisture that you need to monitor.
#54
This home's structural posts for its deck are not secured. The connection where the beam meets the concrete footing is not secure as it is slanting due to it sliding down the hillside.
#56
The rainstorm caused many homes to flood. As homeowners realized this week, it can be difficult to pinpoint where the water is coming from. If the property is flooding it could be coming into the home from under the floor. If the property lacks sufficient drainage, heavy rains can cause water to pool against the exterior of the building, and this water can then seep into your foundation and begin pooling inside your home.
#59
Rusted pipes pose a significant threat to your structure’s foundation.
Daffydillz~ 3 years ago
That pipe is so Incredibly corroded that a sizeable leak looks imminent.
#60
Knowing the common signs of foundation issues can help you take the necessary steps that can spare you extensive and costly repairs in the future.
#61
You can really see how the surrounding expansive soil has affected the post and piers.
My favorite game.
#62
Why does it look like they just take the pipe, ram it into the foundation until it goes through and call it a day?
#63
The California 'bomb cyclone' unleashed powerful winds and heavy rain, homeowners across the state have witness firsthand how powerful mother nature is.
#64
It was common in the early 1900s to use brick to build foundation walls. If you have an older home, you may notice this is your foundation type. The problem is that over time, they can become weak. Mortar breaks down, and bricks start to fall out
#65
"Under Pressure" - Queen.
#67
Jenga! Which one would you pull?
#68
We visited a home this week with a very interesting backyard. They had walls on
top of walls.
LEVELS!
Did anyone else watch that episode of Seinfeld? This must be what he meant.
If you couldn't tell: yes, all three walls were done without permits. All three walls are beginning to fail.
Daffydillz~ 3 years ago
"When the walls come crumblin' crumblin' When the walls come tumblin' tumblin' down"🎶
#69
Any guesses what animal this is?
#70
Size matters when it comes to foundation cracks. The picture above is an example of what a concerning crack would look like. The two sides of the gap are pulling away from each other and one side is sinking. We call this “differential settling.”
#71
Yeah, that's a “no” from me.
#72
The homeowners called us back out this past week after the rain to reassess their non-conforming retaining wall. It's called hydrostatic pressure. As the soil behind the wall collects more water, the greater the hydrostatic pressure on the wall will be. Luckily no one was near when it failed.
#75
The design takes a front seat over practicality. Are we collecting water in the crawlspace?
#77
The tragic events that occurred at the Champlain Towers South condominium complex near Miami brought a lot of attention to these types of deteriorating buildings. The nationwide coverage allowed for more people to be aware of the warning signs. Spalling is not just a cosmetic issue. It can very much be a structural issue.
#78
You get a strap! You get a strap!
Straps for everyone!
#79
The roof of a home plays an essential role in ensuring the structural integrity of the entire home. It provides a protective barrier against all the outside elements. The components are all designed to work together to help keep the home well-protected from a variety of potential risks. Even under the finest weather, a roof will eventually deteriorate over time.
#80
Vertical cracks = Very bad structural issues
#81
At least they put some shoring up. This wall is doing nothing structurally for the home and needs to be replaced immediately
#82
The girders support the floor joists. During the construction of the foundation, usually a pocket is built within the wall to hold the girder. They can also be hung from the foundation wall with special hardware. Wouldn’t recommend a piece of plywood to do the job.
#83
Efflorescence is the white chalky powder that you might find on the surface of a concrete or brick wall. It's a sign of moisture intrusion that could lead to major structural issues if not checked out.
#85
While under a home, as much as you might want as much light as you can get, seeing natural light from outside can pose dangers to your home's foundation.
#87
Spalling occurs when the reinforcing steel inside the concrete rusts, expands, and then ruptures the concrete.
Helen Bennett 3 years ago
Then you get a vicious circle. In climates where it can freeze, freezing water in the cracks makes things worse.
#88
Termite problems occur when wood components of the foundation are in direct contact with soil. Earth-to-wood contact gives termites easy access to food, moisture, and shelter, everything they need to thrive.
They're just asking for it
#89
We see many crawlspaces and foundations. Well, this is what it looks like when a slab begins to fail. When a slab foundation fails, it can be a very invasive assessment. You have no direct access to it, so you have to pull the floors and carpet off to assess the damage.
#90
You do not want your girder to look like this. The homeowners are probably already noticing sloping or bouncy floors.
Yikes.
#91
When you're not careful on who you hire to do a specialized job it can make it easy to get roped into paying for a job you do not need. This home's foundation was strapped when it clearly did not need to be. Not one single crack was present behind the straps.
#92
A support jack is not a permanent solution. It should only be used to make repairs to a damaged foundation. Once the repair is finished, they should be removed.
#93
So, we’re just using pipes as support beams now?
#94
One of the biggest problems that river rock foundations face is the mortar degrading. The river rocks in the foundation can become loose over time if the mortar begins to degrade as it ages. When the mortar degrades, the rocks can be easily pulled out or fall out of the foundation.
#95
Hillsides all over SoCal came sliding down as the rainstorm hit. As beautiful as the hills are, there have always been issues with houses being built on top of them.
#96
This is not the worst looking crawl space but looks can be deceiving. A quick shifting of the sand and you can see the post and pier's footing is not being properly supported.
#97
There are different types of foundation cracks your home can suffer. Being able to tell the differences between them helps you determine the best way to fix the problem. Two of the most important categories to know about are vertical and horizontal cracks. Horizontal cracks that run across your foundation and/or walls are some of the most serious types of cracks your home can suffer.
#98
It may be hard to tell from this picture, but this hillside home's stem wall is out of plumb. You can look at the mudsill and the cripple wall above the foundation wall to see how much it has shifted forward.
#99
Often, river rock foundations here in California are in Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZ). This program aims to identify and protect the distinctive architectural and cultural resources of Los Angeles’s historic neighborhoods. So, any new projects in that neighborhood must complement its historic character. For this reason, sistering the foundation is the best solution.
#101
This home’s post and pier seemingly looks fine, but if you take a closer look, you can notice someone has filled in the bottom portion.
#102
Bearing failure. The weight above is too much for the girder and it's being crushed. The girder is supposed to be sitting in the notch above the stem wall and mudsill. You can clearly see that it has sunk down meaning the entire floor above has sunk with it.
#103
Another cripple wall leaning into the crawlspace. A cripple wall is a short wall that rests on the foundation and supports the floor and exterior walls. Cripple walls help carry the weight of the house. During an earthquake, cripple walls can easily collapse if they are not braced to resist lateral movement.
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What do you think ?
Mat Hall 3 years ago
Most of these just make me wonder why Americans don't just do what the rest of the world does: dig a trench where you're putting load bearing walls, fill it with concrete, then build on top of it with bricks? Balancing a flimsy wooden box on a bunch of sticks seems like you're asking for trouble.
Izzy Curer 3 years ago
We do have those, but none of those are featured here because they actually work.
Load More Replies...
OnAFreakingRollercoaster 3 years ago
Whoa. This post got way too overwhelming. I don't need to know about all these possible problems, I'd rather live in ignorant bliss.
Mat Hall 3 years ago
Most of these just make me wonder why Americans don't just do what the rest of the world does: dig a trench where you're putting load bearing walls, fill it with concrete, then build on top of it with bricks? Balancing a flimsy wooden box on a bunch of sticks seems like you're asking for trouble.
Izzy Curer 3 years ago
We do have those, but none of those are featured here because they actually work.
Load More Replies... OnAFreakingRollercoaster 3 years ago
Whoa. This post got way too overwhelming. I don't need to know about all these possible problems, I'd rather live in ignorant bliss.
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