We were called out to a home in Tooele, Utah, to assess the foundation because of movement of the home. Often the first suspect when a house begins to move is the foundation, but in this case, the foundation is solid. The trouble lies above the earth. Across the entirety of the home, cracks and nail pops line the ceiling of the main and upper floors. A narrow vertical crack spans up the back wall of the foundation. The crack is widest at the bottom which is a subtle sign of movement.
The home’s open floor plan, with a tall two-story family room and steep roof, leaves it vulnerable to wind forces. With little shear resistance along with the past exposure to an earthquake about five years ago, the structure now sways under stress. We recommend adding shear walls that are 150 square feet in both directions on the second floor and 250 square feet on the main. These sheer walls should be coupled with 5/8” OSB and 3” #8 screws at 6” spacing. The basement will also need reinforcement, plus improved drainage around the home.
In Tooele’s open terrain, wind can be relentless. This home wasn’t built to stand against it, but with proper reinforcement, it can.
