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Structural support is backbone or more apt the skeleton of a home or building. Without a correctly designed and installed support system the building will fold like a house of cards. Defects in the structural system can cause significant failures in the building.

On a recent inspection it was discovered in a quite newer home (2005) a serious structural concern. The first photo shows the end of one of two main structural support beams in this home. This is the pre-formed pocket in the foundation wall made to accept the beam. As is evident in the photo the beam has been shimmed to raise it to the proper height.

The problem is the shims here were able to be pulled right out of the pocket when checked. The beam was toe nailed to the sill plate with one nail on each side! The shims were not actually pulled completely out, but were moved several inches forward and very quickly pushed back into position.

The second photo shows the other support beam on the opposite side of the foundation. The beam is actually resting on a piece of wood just a few inches thick. As is clear in the picture this beam is resting on three separate pieces of wood.

The four foundation beam pockets will have to be evaluated for correction by a foundation specialist or structural engineer.

The buyers of this home were extremely happy they had the support of a qualified professional home inspector to thoroughly survey their home or their deal may have collapsed.

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

 

 
This post has been included in Connecticut Real Estate News
Post is included in group: Ask the Home Inspector

16 Comments on No Support, Plainville, CT

AUG
22
2007
1,000,836 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Howdy James

Heres a big five for doing a top job for them.

 It's hard to believe that someone would do something like that.

Have a good one
2:56pm • #1
533,979 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

James:

It is hard to believe that someone would actually think they could get away with this. Hopefully those people responsible will be put out of business. Excellent post and pictures.

Thanks, Carl
4:22pm • #2
430,233 Points 71 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Thanks guys,

You want to hear the real funny part since you mentioned who should be held responsible. One of the guys that framed this house lives two house down. He was talking with the buyers near the end of the inspection. Actually I wonder, as did the buyer, where was the building inspector while this house was being built. Makes you really think about who is watching over these characters when they're putting together a house.
5:01pm • #3
Hi, Jim.  That's scary.  Did the framers and builder bribe the muni? 
7:14pm • #4
AUG
23
2007

Good Job, James.

Incredible that this stuff happens, but it does and all the time!

 
11:00am • #5
The fact that they used wood beams in a masonry pocket isn't good.  The lams will wick the water right out of the masonry and rot them quickly.
11:06am • #6
430,233 Points 71 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Darren,

You are so right. I see this exact same thing all to often, just not this bad.

Ken, That's SOP around here. I have never seen any type of protection installed around a beam in a masonry pocket.
5:25pm • #7
AUG
24
2007

Morning, Jim.

Around here, you almost always see a steel beam if it's resting on masonry.  I don't remember if it is a state code or municipal codes, but every job I've done, and all newer work I've seen, a steel beam has been called out by the architect.  I'll have to check on whether its state or muni.
7:37am • #8
Sorry, Jim.  Forgot to sign the previous comment.
7:38am • #9
4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Okie... I'm not an inspector but in addition to the shims and the lumber directly on the concrete, isn't there a problem that this looks like common instead of PT?  In my area the lumber for supports is required by code to be pressure treated - or at least it has been since 1986.  Most of the rest have been replaced because they rotted out.  Of course, I'm in a very wet area.  Maybe climate is the difference.
10:28pm • #10
AUG
25
2007
430,233 Points 71 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Debbie,

Those shims are PT. The beam is engineered wood, gluelam. They are very common here for structural supports. Are foundations in your area crawlspaces or basements? Crawlspaces by nature are usually moister and the the use of PT would be understandable.

Here PT is required for the sill plate with a gasket installed between the wood and concrete. No where else is it requied that I am aware.
9:50am • #11
4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Probably one of the reasons I'm not an inspector is I don't know everything, LOL.... just enough to be dangerous.  My father talked me out of taking a major in construction technology but I think if I live through getting my boys through college (one is just starting now) I'll have to satisfy this thirst.  I love the idea of the gasket and I'll keep that in mind for my next home design.  The last several homes have been ICF so the first sill plates were the ones the trusses were on.  I think the gasket is a great idea.  I don't think I've seen gluelams in a crawlspace before.  Basements are rare here as the water table is so high.  Wouldn't a gluelam delaminate if it were wet for a period of time?  Maybe I just don't understand how they are put together, but I remember being careful with them during construction so they would stay dry.
10:43am • #12
AUG
26
2007
430,233 Points 71 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Debbie,

NO ONE knows everything. The fact that you realize that is great. It keeps you on your toes and constantly learning. I myself have a voracious appetite for knowledge. It is especially healthy in my profession.

As far as gluelams, they need to be kept dry. I have never seen one in a crawl, but if I did I would definetly be very concerned.

7:21am • #13
SEP
16
2007
140,287 Points Localism Sponsor

Hi James--

 Just came over here from your link in your latest post at Stephanie's.  I had one home that I'd shown a client and the seller was very proud of the fact that they'd taken the support beam out of the center of the great room to open up more space..........  Yikes.  My clients ran from that one!
12:11pm • #14
430,233 Points 71 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Tamara,

I would have run too... in fear of the roof coming down on my head! A friend and fellow inspector here found a finished basement room where the owners removed a support column because it was in the way of the pool table. He said the beam was visibly sagging toward the floor. The things people do.
1:28pm • #15
140,287 Points Localism Sponsor
Isn't it amazing??? 
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