Bomb Proof
In Kearns, Utah, a home carried an unusual history. It was originally built as a government experiment shortly after the war, meant to test how well a residential structure could withstand a bomb-type impact. Whatever trials it faced, the results were convincing enough and the home stayed intact and eventually entered ordinary life as real […]
Rain, Rain Go Away
This home that is currently under contract was recently found to have water and mold issues that have since been treated by a professional remediator. We were brought in to evaluate any structural damage resulting from the moisture exposure on this Alpine, Utah home. The issue began with a large roof draining water into a […]
Clear Signs of Structural Failure
At a home in Orem, Utah, a recently built deck has shown clear signs of failure due to poor construction. The deck measures roughly 16 feet wide by 18 feet deep and was framed entirely with 2×8 lumber; including the joists, rim beam, and ledger. Eight columns support the structure, but the critical flaw lies […]
Glass Tower
This South Jordan, Utah home is striking; it’s tall, open, and wrapped in glass from front to back. The family room and kitchen fills the left side, rising more than two stories with almost no interior walls. That openness, combined with this location’s strong wind storms, has left the structure vulnerable to sway. Built to […]
Seen Better Days
This Provo home, built in 1955, reflects the standards of another time. It is expected that a 70-year-old house will not meet modern codes, but even with that understanding, this structure is in rugged condition. Many elements are undersized, cut, or damaged, then patched in ways that complicate repair. These issues show up in both […]
Oh… That’s a Crack!
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 […]
Been There, Fixed That
We arrived at a home in Cottonwood Heights immediately after a rainstorm. This was the third site visit, but it was the first time structural piers were noted. Seller documentation indicated that Davenport had previously addressed settlement at the southeast corner, a reminder that this property had already needed structural attention in the past. On […]
Holding the Line with a Barrier Design
We were called to inspect a project that involves the construction of a new retaining wall in the backyard of a home in Orem, Utah. While much of the wall will only need to hold back approximately four feet of soil, there are some portions where the height of the wall will reach as high […]
Follow the Plans, Then Double Check
A homeowner in South Jordan, Utah is building a new 26×30 garage in their backyard. The plan calls for a monolithic pour, with the slab at 6 inches thick and the footing extending at least 30 inches below the soil line. We confirmed these values by seeing the provided plans. During the site visit, questions […]
Not at Risk of Failure, It’s Already Failed
We were asked to evaluate a 50-year-old A-frame cabin in Midway, Utah. The home is perched on short 6×6 stilts, roughly two feet tall, but the supports are badly off plumb—leaning nearly six inches. At some point, braces were added in an attempt to correct the problem, but they were installed in the wrong direction […]