When Do I Need A Structural Inspection?

A structural inspection is typically a visual inspection performed by a structural engineer to confirm the structural soundness of a home or building’s load bearing components such as the foundation, joists, beams, trusses, or columns/posts. It is performed when a property owner has questions about the structural integrity of a building or structure. This could entail an analysis of the whole structure or an examination of one specific component of the building.

Your home’s structure is not something to take for granted. If you or your home inspector suspects an issue, hire a structural engineer to look into the problem. BUSTAMANTE ENGINEERS will provide you with a written report with photos depicting findings, and a scope of work that a contractor can use to complete the repair/correction work. If necessary, we can also provide a design for repairs.

There are several situations where you may want to have a structural inspection performed to ensure that the bones of your house are solid:

Buying a Home: If you are buying a home, you probably want to have a general home inspection performed to get a complete view of the home’s condition. If the inspector discovers an issue with any of the load bearing components, they will recommend a structural inspection for further investigation. Some other common problems that require a structural engineer are foundation cracks (horizontal, vertical and step cracks), temporary columns in the basement, water intrusion, sloping floors, bowing walls, and settlement concerns. If serious issues are found, you can choose to walk away from the purchase or negotiate the price to accommodate for repairs.
Structural Movement, Ceiling or Wall Cracks: A properly built home should not exhibit any settlement beyond a few small cracks. With that being said, very old homes may have sloping floors and some ceiling or wall settlement cracks simply because structural components were not designed for deflection the way they are today. If there is any concern, it is better to get answers sooner rather than later.
When Structural Movement is a Concern:
- If you are living in a brand-new home experiencing settlement.
- If you are living in a home older than 10 years old showing recent signs of settlement.
- If you recently completed a remodel or installed additional weight and are noticing settlement.
Foundation, Bowing Walls, Cracks, Upheaval or Sinking: Small cracks are typically not an issue when it comes to foundations. However, if you are seeing horizontal, vertical or step cracks ¼” or larger in size, bowing foundation walls, or movement of any kind, you should have a structural inspection performed to analyze the condition.
Storm Damage: If you believe you have storm damage, you might consider getting an evaluation from a structural engineer. A report from BUSTAMANTE ENGINEERS stating that storm damage is present will determine whether or not your home or building’s structural integrity is compromised.
Drainage Issues on a Property: Drainage issues can wreak havoc on a home’s foundation, cause expensive interior and exterior damage, and create ponding water that can lead to icy conditions. A structural inspection may help you pinpoint where the issues originated and how to implement proper mitigation that will preserve your home’s integrity.
Heat Loss Issues Resulting in Ice Dams: Heat loss can cause a variety of issues in the home such as ice dams and high energy bills. A structural inspection can help to determine where the heat loss is occurring and the best way to permanently fix the problem.