SinStrucEng
Structural
- Nov 11, 2022
- 82
This is a fun one, folks. We got a call today, late in the work day (basically at closing time), and the individual was panicked and worried. They claimed that during drywall works following a garage leak, a column had "disintegrated" and the house was about to collapse.
Right. At this point I am obviously worried, but having been through many such calls I was a little skeptical. I agreed to make an urgent after-hours visit. Strapped my boots and parka on, drove out to the site.
And. Holy. Crap. This is one of those rare instances when the individual is 100% truly correct in their cause for worry.
The house is a fairly large, 7 year old custom build probably around the $1.5M mark. Lower flat roof partially over the garage, and a main trussed upper roof over the rest of the structure. There are two bedrooms overtop of the garage. The second floor front exterior wall sits on a wide flange steel beam in the garage. This beam was installed onto built-up wood posts (5 ply 2x6). Well, one of the two posts (left side) just... "disappeared". This was the worst dry rot I've seen in a structure this new. I mean, I've been in 200 year old barns that weren't this bad.
The post was left with no structural integrity (obviously) and collapsed in on itself. The beam dropped accordingly and is currently bearing on nothing but a top plate, 3/4" OSB, and stucco. Honestly I'm surpprised there's not much damage on the exterior finish. I will explore more but didn't have time (or willingness) to poke around, especially without it being supported.
Occupants were told to immediately vacate the side/portion of the house supported by this beam (practically entire second floor, most of first floor) and to contact contractors for shoring ASAP. Repairs to come...
Right. At this point I am obviously worried, but having been through many such calls I was a little skeptical. I agreed to make an urgent after-hours visit. Strapped my boots and parka on, drove out to the site.
And. Holy. Crap. This is one of those rare instances when the individual is 100% truly correct in their cause for worry.
The house is a fairly large, 7 year old custom build probably around the $1.5M mark. Lower flat roof partially over the garage, and a main trussed upper roof over the rest of the structure. There are two bedrooms overtop of the garage. The second floor front exterior wall sits on a wide flange steel beam in the garage. This beam was installed onto built-up wood posts (5 ply 2x6). Well, one of the two posts (left side) just... "disappeared". This was the worst dry rot I've seen in a structure this new. I mean, I've been in 200 year old barns that weren't this bad.
The post was left with no structural integrity (obviously) and collapsed in on itself. The beam dropped accordingly and is currently bearing on nothing but a top plate, 3/4" OSB, and stucco. Honestly I'm surpprised there's not much damage on the exterior finish. I will explore more but didn't have time (or willingness) to poke around, especially without it being supported.
Occupants were told to immediately vacate the side/portion of the house supported by this beam (practically entire second floor, most of first floor) and to contact contractors for shoring ASAP. Repairs to come...
