1960’s Home Slowly Crumbling
Built in 1966, this Payson Utah home shows a few narrow, vertical cracks along the back and left sides—minor on appearance but worth a closer look. We determined that these are not signs of shifting or settlement, but the result of rebar corrosion inside the concrete. In the 1960s, rebar was often left uncoated, and […]
East Foothills of the Salt Lake Valley
This home sits along the east foothills of the Salt Lake Valley, with a view that comes at a cost: steep ground and unpredictable drainage. During inspection, it was observed that the southwest corner of the structure has rotated outward, producing a visible bulge in the masonry. The displacement suggests that the footing beneath this […]
In Need of Some Extra Space
The homeowner plans to expand the pantry by opening a 4.5-foot section of the wall shared with the adjacent garage, extending the space roughly halfway into the garage. While the wall is not a designated shear wall, it carries the live and dead loads of the floor above, requiring careful structural planning before removal. We […]
A Simple yet Important Fix
During an inspection of a newer home in Herriman, Utah, a notable defect was found in the unfinished basement. In the mechanical room where the furnace and water heater are located, the doorway header, built from two 2x10s, had one member cracked completely through the middle. This failure left the opening partially unsupported, a clear […]
Intuition Rather that Calculation
This home is Eureka, Utah is a wood-frame home and was built in the late 1890s, using materials and methods common to the mining-era homes of the region. Much of the foundation of this home was concealed, but a narrow crawlspace opening allowed a limited view beneath the home. What was visible told a familiar […]
Evaluating Epoxy
Epoxy is commonly used when attaching reinforced concrete to the foundation of a home. Today in Eagle Mountain, we observed this process to ensure that all practices were carried out properly. Holes were drilled into the foundation with a ⅝-inch diameter and a 6-inch depth to provide adequate space for the #4 rebar after the […]
Unlicensed Flipper Without Permits
This Salt Lake City home, built in 1960, was later renovated by an unlicensed flipper without permits, raising concerns about its structural integrity. During inspection, we noted that a wall between the living and dining rooms appears to have been removed. The 2×4 rafters with steel plates still span about 27 feet, which is typical […]
City Certification
The city raised two main concerns with this property in Bountiful UT. The old window cutouts and the rear awning structure raised questions focused on whether these elements were properly supported and compliant with structural standards. Three windows were reviewed. The first, located on the right side of the home, included a 2-inch steel lintel […]
Entering the Basement
This home, built in 2024, is set to receive a new basement entry door on the south side which is the left side when facing from the street. The planned opening will be five feet wide and 80 inches tall, located about seven feet from the nearby wall corner. To support the load above the […]
Preparation is Key for an RV
Built in 2006, this home in Saratoga Springs is undergoing a thoughtful addition on its north side; an RV pad designed to store a recreational vehicle securely behind a gated enclosure, as required by the HOA. The new slab measures roughly 59 feet long by 18 feet wide, providing ample space while maintaining the home’s […]