Structural & Foundation Inspections

Colorado homeowners, buyers, and property managers schedule structural inspections for: • Foundation cracks — horizontal, stair-step, or widening cracks in concrete or masonry • Sloping or uneven floors — indicating foundation settlement or structural movement • Sticking doors and windows — a sign of frame distortion from structural movement • Wall cracks — especially diagonal cracks radiating from door/window openings • Bowing basement walls — common with expansive Colorado clay soils • Post-purchase concerns — discovering issues after buying a property • Permit requirements — when building departments require engineering sign-off • Insurance claims — documenting structural damage for claim support • Real estate transactions — due diligence before closing • Aging structures — evaluating older homes for safety and code compliance • Post-storm or post-event damage assessment

Colorado's geology creates specific foundation challenges our engineers are expertly qualified to assess: • Expansive clay soil damage — The Front Range's smectite clay soils swell when wet and shrink when dry, causing foundation heave, settlement, and cracking. We evaluate whether observed damage is soil-related and recommend appropriate remediation. • Foundation settlement — Differing soil conditions, poor compaction, or water infiltration can cause foundations to settle unevenly. We assess severity and determine whether underpinning or other intervention is needed. • Basement wall bowing — Hydrostatic pressure from expansive soils can cause basement walls to bow inward. We evaluate wall deflection and recommend repair strategies. • Frost heave — Inadequate foundation depth can allow frost to lift foundations. We assess whether frost heave is occurring and recommend corrections. • Drainage-related damage — Improper grading, downspout discharge, or poor soil percolation can undermine foundations. We identify drainage contributions to structural distress.

Every structural inspection report is signed and stamped by a Colorado-licensed Professional Engineer and includes: • Executive summary of findings and recommendations • Detailed description of observed conditions with photographs • Engineering analysis of structural significance • Identification of immediate safety concerns (if any) • Root cause analysis where movement or damage is present • Specific repair recommendations with prioritization • Whether further investigation (e.g., geotechnical report) is warranted • Professional engineer's stamp and signature Reports are typically delivered within 2–5 business days of the inspection. Rush turnaround is available for time-sensitive transactions or project deadlines.