Structural Damages

Severe weather events such as hurricanes, earthquakes and tornados can result in significant property damage. Structural damage can take many forms – some are obvious and others are less visible. But they can all present significant safety risks and must be identified and addressed immediately.

Before you enter

In many cases, a weather event may have resulted in the evacuation of your home. When you return, it’s important to conduct a visible inspection of the exterior of the building to ensure that it’s safe to go inside.

•    First and foremost, make sure the building is not in danger of collapsing. Look for bulges, sways, leaning walls and sagging roof lines. Any of these are indicators that a collapse may be inevitable and entry should not take place.
•    Take a good look at your roof as it can be an indicator of possible structural damage. Look at the ridge of your roof from a distance to see if it is straight. If the ridge sags either in the center or at the ends, the load-bearing walls may have shifted.
•    Check the exterior walls to verify that they are vertical and straight. This may be done visually or by using a carpenter’s level.
•    Regardless of whether your home is on a slab on grade or a basement foundation, be sure to check where the structure meets its foundation to see if the building has shifted. In some cases where wooden floors have been flooded, they will actually push the walls outward at the base.
•    Check for cracks in the masonry exterior of the home. Look at the corners of the structure as well as under and around doors and windows.
•    If you find any indications of structural damage after the exterior inspection, call a structural engineer, architect or a building contractor with expertise in structural damage. It is also prudent to contact a professional for a follow-up inspection to verify any damage that you may have found and to ensure that other damage not readily visible is identified as well.
•    Turn off any outside gas lines at the meter or tank and let the house air out to remove escaping gas and odors.
•    Turn off the main electrical breaker until safe conditions are established. If the main disconnect is inside the house, contact your local utility company for assistance. Even if the power is out in your neighborhood, always disconnect the main switch, fuses or circuit breakers at your house before entering.

House structure

 Additional structural inspections should include the following:

•    Check the roof for missing or damaged shingles and loose nails.
•    Examine the roof for potential leaks that could indicate structural separations. This may be more easily accomplished on a sunny day.
•    Inspect the foundation to make sure that the joints located where the foundation and wall meet have not separated.
•    Check to see that plate bolts are not loose on stone or concrete foundations.

On the inside

Once it has been deemed safe to enter the building and all utilities are turned off, a thorough inspection of the interior structure should take place. You may choose to contact a structural engineer, architect, housing inspector or building contractor with expertise in damaged structures for assistance.

Remember to enter the building cautiously. Even though all main utilities should be turned off, do not smoke or use a flame as a light source once you are inside. Also, be sure to unplug all appliances that have been flooded. Once safely inside, the following inspections should be conducted:

•    Check for sagging ceilings, wet insulation and pockets of water that can cause ceilings or walls to fall.
•    Using a good light, check the framing. Look for ridge separation, loose knee braces and loose rafters where the rafters join the walls.
•    Remember that some structural damage may not be obvious but can still pose significant safety risks and problems. For example, look for wood structural members that are cracked. Structural bracing may not be as secure as it should be.
•    Open doors and windows. If they do not open as they did before, this could be an indication that the building has shifted.
•    Keep in mind that in cases of severe shifting, water lines, gas lines and electrical circuits may be damaged as well.
•    Carefully inspect roof truss systems. In many cases, these systems are constructed with 2 x 4s, metal fasteners and hurricane clips. A crack or break in the truss could significantly affect the strength of the entire system.
•    If you find any indications of structural damage after the interior inspection, call a structural engineer, architect or building contractor with expertise in structural damage. It may be prudent to contact a professional for a follow-up inspection to verify damage that you may have found and to ensure that any other damage not readily visible is identified as well.
•    Be sure to document all damage indicators and provide this information to your insurance adjuster.

Utilities

Following are some additional general recommendations when inspecting major utility systems:

•    Gas - When entering the building, check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing noise, open a window and leave the building immediately. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve and move away from the building. Call the local gas company for assistance. Remember, if you turn off the gas, a professional must turn it back on.
•    Electrical system - If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Never step in water or in any damp areas to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker. Call an electrician for assistance and advice.
•    Sewer and water lines - If you suspect any kind of damage to the sewer lines, do not use the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes appear to be damaged, contact your local water company or a plumber and do not use tap water until repairs are completed.