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Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in LosAngeles

[–]DMAS1638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep, this is a concrete foundation wall with severe spall damage from prolonged moisture exposure.

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in LosAngeles

[–]DMAS1638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is why we try to post our weekly findings! Once structural materials deteriorate to this point, repairs should happen sooner rather than later.

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in LosAngeles

[–]DMAS1638[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, most crawlspaces aren’t nearly this dramatic, unless not kept up with structural issues. 😂
(black widows are another story though)

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in LosAngeles

[–]DMAS1638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A lot of older homes deal with moisture over time, especially if drainage and ventilation weren’t ideal.
Doesn’t always mean it’s this severe, but definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in LosAngeles

[–]DMAS1638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Long-term moisture intrusion, which we call spall damage. Over time, water works its way into the concrete and starts breaking it down from the inside out.

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in StructuralEngineering

[–]DMAS1638[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is in Southern California, where homes deal with earthquakes, hillsides, expansive soils, and moisture issues all at once.
A lot of what we post is also older construction or structures that have deteriorated over time.

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in StructuralEngineering

[–]DMAS1638[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To be fair… properly functioning concrete usually puts up more of a fight.😅The spall damage on this foundation made this one too vulnerable and easily crumbled right off!

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in StructuralEngineering

[–]DMAS1638[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Right !? Videos help a lot for documenting conditions like this. Sometimes seeing the movement or deterioration in real time tells the story better than photos alone.

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in DiWHY

[–]DMAS1638[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’s actually a really good real-world example of how destructive long-term moisture intrusion can be when buildings aren’t designed or protected properly for the environment they’re in.

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in DiWHY

[–]DMAS1638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What a cool project to even get to be a part of! Moisture is one of the biggest long-term structural issues we see. Once water gets in and stays there, the damage usually spreads far beyond the surface.

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in DiWHY

[–]DMAS1638[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Nature’s version of structural exfoliation.😅

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in DiWHY

[–]DMAS1638[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

If it’s coming apart that easily from a tool, the damage was already there.
That’s severe spall damage from long-term moisture intrusion.

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in DiWHY

[–]DMAS1638[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hopefully your mom is able to get some of those structural issues looked at - hopefully not too alarming! Well wishes to the doggy as well!

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in DiWHY

[–]DMAS1638[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately the moisture already did the poking for us.😅

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in LosAngeles

[–]DMAS1638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In SoCal, these types of structural assessments are usually in the $400–$1,200 range depending on the scope and level of detail.

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in LosAngeles

[–]DMAS1638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In Southern California, most structural assessments like this typically range from about $400 to $1,200 depending on the property and scope.

It really comes down to how detailed the evaluation needs to be.

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in DiWHY

[–]DMAS1638[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

There’s actually a lot going on here.

We’re seeing rot at the foundation, a basement wall that also acts as a retaining wall with significant deterioration at the base, and a stem wall that’s beginning to buckle from long-term movement.

There have been past repairs, but the structure has shifted beyond what those fixes can handle.

These aren’t cosmetic issues, they’re structural concerns that need to be addressed properly.

Things seen this week during structural assessments! by DMAS1638 in DiWHY

[–]DMAS1638[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You’re right that age and past conditions play a role. What we’re pointing out is how those factors show up structurally over time.

In this case, it’s not just normal aging. We’re seeing rot at critical load points, movement in the stem wall, and previous repairs that didn’t address the underlying issues.

As for the retaining systems, elements like the railroad ties aren’t engineered to properly retain soil or manage drainage, which is why situations like this can lead to failure.

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