Your Guide to Structural Inspections

When to Call in the Pros for a Structural Inspection

Think of your home like a body. Solid bones keep everything standing strong. That’s exactly what a structural inspection is all about: checking the bones of your home to make sure they are holding up and are structurally sound.

A structural inspection is a close visual examination performed by a licensed engineer. Their mission? To assess the health of your home’s load-bearing components, such as the foundation, joists, trusses, columns, beams, and more. 

This kind of inspection is often mistaken for a general home inspection, but there are key differences between the two. General home inspections provide a big picture analysis of the home’s condition, focusing on systems such as HVAC, plumbing, roofing, and the like. If a home inspector spots suspicious cracks or sagging floors, they’ll suggest you bring in a structural engineer for a deeper dive. That’s where the pros, like BUSTAMANTE ENGINEERS come in; only a licensed engineer is qualified to make the call about whether your home is structurally sound.

Here are some common situations when it’s a smart move:

• Buying a Home:  If you are buying a home, you probably want to have a general home inspection performed to get a complete overview of the home’s condition. If a home inspector flags anything structurally concerning, then it’s time to bring in a structural engineer to evaluate and save you from costly surprises down the road. If serious issues are found, you can choose to walk away from the purchase or negotiate the price to accommodate for repairs.

• Settlement & Structural Movement:  A properly built home should not exhibit any settlement beyond a few small cracks. With that being said, very old homes may creak and lean with charm, simply because structural components were not designed for deflection the way they are today. If there is any concern, it is a good idea to contact a structural engineer.
  When Structural Movement is a Concern:

            - Your new build is already showing signs of settling.

            - Your older home is exhibiting signs of recent settlement.

            - If you recently remodeled or installed additional weight and something just feels…off.

• Foundation Movement, Bowing or Cracked Walls, & Sloping Floors:  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, don’t wait. Those are clear signs that the structural integrity of the home may be at risk.

• Storm Damage:  Heavy winds and floods don’t just rattle windows; they can compromise the bones of your home. If you believe your home has been damaged by a storm, you might want to consider getting an evaluation from a structural engineer. 
  
  
• Heat Loss Issues Resulting in Ice Dams:  Poor insulation isn’t just about chilly rooms and high energy bills. It can also lead to the formation of ice dams. A structural inspection can help to determine where the heat loss is occurring and the best way to permanently fix the problem. 

• Drainage Issues on a Property:  Water 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.
  

After a structural engineer from BUSTAMANTE ENGINEERS has inspected your home, you will receive a comprehensive written report with both a summary and photos of our findings. The report will state whether the structural components evaluated are in good, fair, or poor condition, and will provide expert recommendations for any necessary repairs. 

From there, you can take those recommendations to a contractor to perform the repairs. And if our engineers find that a structural component needs redesigning, we will flag that in the report. We are happy to provide engineering design plans as a separate service. 

If your home is showing signs of stress, or you just want peace of mind, BUSTAMANTE ENGINEERS Inc is here to help!  Click to contact us online or call 215-340-6990 today and minimize the potential for unpleasant surprises in the future!