Although we’d love to say that buildings are indestructible, they’re totally destructible. In some cases, it’ll just take a strong wind to blow off a roof or a small earthquake to completely disrupt the foundations of a home. That’s why we take off our hats to the structural engineers of the world. These guys are the real MVPs who work as structural rehabilitators to bring broken-down buildings back into their prime. And while they’re used to doing these structural inspections, sometimes they’re just not prepared for the dangerous and downright outrageous things they see on the job. Yep, this is your sign to give home inspection services their credit…
Are the Posts Supposed to Bend Like That?
Home inspection services are often called-upon when a homeowner wants to complete a renovation. And this photo is proof that old houses should definitely be renovated at some point. After all, they don’t last forever – especially when the house has been built on wooden posts! We bet the person who attended this structural inspection couldn’t quite believe their eyes when they saw these posts quite literally bending under the weight of the house.
Let’s hope this inspector didn’t lean up against the house while he was giving the homeowners their quote. It looks like one push will send this house quite literally over the edge.
When the Foundations Split in Half
The foundation of any structure is super important. We’ve all played Jenga, after all. And if the bottom layers are broken or out of place, the whole thing comes tumbling down! This is the same thing with houses, which is why this home inspection service was so worried when they saw this house. At first glance, it looked like an issue with the homeowners’ flooring. But it was something way more sinister.
This is actually the rest of the foundation of the home quite literally splitting in half, and the whole structure moving as a result. And we bet that wasn’t a cheap or easy fix.
A Tetris-Inspired Pier and Beam Home
Anyone who knows anything about structural engineering and construction will know that pier and beam constructions aren’t uncommon. In fact, they can be found across the globe. This form of construction allows for crawl space under the home, and this is where many home inspection services spend their time when they’re undertaking structural inspections. And while pier and beams aren’t always perfect, they very rarely remind them of a game of Tetris.
Not only have the beams been piled onto each other in a weird formation, but the concrete stumps also look as though they’ve just been shoved on top of each other. The whole thing is a disaster waiting to happen.
That Roof Is Supposed to Be Straight
Earthquakes are the bane of many people’s lives, but there’s no doubt about the fact that it keeps home inspection services running. And when the team arrived for this structural inspection, they could see just how much the recent earthquake had affected the house. The foundations had shifted, there were deep cracks running through the walls, and that’s before we mention the roof that is supposed to be completely straight!
No, that bend in the roof was not an architectural choice. And while this house could have been repaired, it would have cost them a huge amount of money. So, we bet they just knocked the whole thing down instead!
Adult Foot Vs Differential Settlement
Differential settlement is something that is often picked up on structural inspections, but it’s very rare to come across differential settlement that’s so huge. As you can see from the foot for scale, the foundations are sinking at different rates underneath the house – and the whole thing is a complete mess. Just look at how deep those cracks go! That’s definitely not something any homeowner ever wants to see.
Although we’d usually suggest shoving some duct tape on the crack and ignoring it, we have a feeling that duct tape wouldn’t help in this situation. So, let’s hope the structural engineer had a better solution.
This Fungus Isn’t so Fun
When you think about it, the word ‘fungus’ is pretty misleading. There’s absolutely nothing fun about fungus – especially when a whole load of it is found during a structural inspection. This picture was taken in the crawl space underneath a home, and it’s clear to see that many of the beams, joists, and girders have become overrun with fungus. As you can imagine, this isn’t a good sign at all.
Not only is this harmful for the people living in the house, but it’s also potentially very dangerous. The more this fungus grows, the less structurally sound their house will be.
Hillside Properties and Rainstorms Don’t Mix
Let’s be honest; shows like Selling Sunset and Buying Beverly Hills have us dreaming of houses in the Hollywood Hills. And while there’s no doubt that these houses are aesthetically beautiful, home inspection services will tell you that these houses aren’t as structurally sound as you’d think. After all, you should never underestimate the power of water – especially when you live in the hills that are prone to landslides.
On this occasion, the water pushed down on the retaining wall so much that it bent and broke! Luckily for these homeowners, it only affected their backyard rather than their house as a whole.
These Support Beams Aren’t Very Supportive
A support beam does exactly what it says on the tin; it supports the house. Because of this, the support beam needs to be strong and stable – and it definitely shouldn’t be rotting from the inside. But that’s exactly what the home inspection service spotted when they went to inspect this stilt home. And judging from that view, the house is pretty high up a hill, which makes this even scarier.
With something like this, the house would need to be completely renovated, and the beams would need to be completely replaced. That’s not cheap, and it’s not a stress-free process, either.
When You Leave the Pool Water Running
There’s nothing better than having a pool, right? But having a pool also means an extra set of responsibilities. You need to maintain the cleanliness of the water, you need to keep it safe for your family, and you need to make sure that it’s turned off when it needs to be turned off. Unfortunately, the pool service technician failed to do that when his clients went on vacation – and this is what happened as a result.
Yes, the whole backyard was caught in a pool-related landslide, and the decking has been pushed and demolished along the way. Let’s hope the pool company had insurance, as we think there’s a big claim coming their way.
If the Trees Are Bending, the Hill Is Unstable
Structural inspections are essential when you’re building on a hill. Doing so is incredibly risky, as you just never know if the hillside is stable enough to build on or not. But looking at the trees around the property is a good indicator – and when the home inspection service went to check out a new construction on this property, they realized it was in grave danger. Just look at those trees!
If the trees are showing signs of bending, this is a clear sign that the hill is unstable and has been moving over the years. And if the trees are moving, what’s stopping the foundations from moving?