One homeowner has lived in their Salt Lake City home for nine years and has noticed cracks forming in several rooms. The home has a masonry exterior and drainage has been an issue in the past. Rain gutters and downspouts are present, however, they do not extend far enough away from the foundation. Therefore, drainage is still an issue. We recommended extending the gutters at least 10 feet away from the home because this poor drainage has contributed to stair-step cracks along the back side of the home.
Even with these issues, the movement is within a normal range for a brick home of this age. Interior cracks, most of them near ceilings, suggest the structure has shifted under horizontal forces like wind or earthquakes. The basement remains stable, and the foundation shows good condition overall. It is possible the earthquake five years ago added to the cracking now seen.
We recommended reinforcing the home’s walls for shear—something not common when the home was built long ago. Reinforcement can be added in wall panels about 4 by 8 feet or larger, with sheetrock nailed at a tighter 6-inch spacing. These improvements will help the structure resist lateral forces and remain stable over time.
