Tejas Engineers - Residential Engineering

Residential Engineering Services

Foundation investigations- identify causes of deficiencies, including supervision of geotechnical investigations, provide remedial designs and recommendations;

Residential and light commercial structural inspections for owners, buyers, and agents. We welcome time-sensitive assignments;

Expert witness services.

I’m interested in buying a property. What should I look for?

The following are things that might indicate foundation movement:

Surface drainage not away from structure on all sides.
Cracking or settlement in driveways or sidewalks.
Cracking in exterior brick veneer.
Separations between brick veneer and siding or trim elements.
Separated frieze board and fascia joints on exterior corners of structure.
Cracks in ceramic tile floor coverings.
Warped wood floor coverings.
Cracks in drywall, particularly near fireplaces or near corners of window and door frames.
Doors not square in frames or do not latch properly.
Broken windows or windows do not operate properly.
Look to see if recent cracks have been painted over.

Broken floor joists on pier and beam foundation.	Crack in reinforced concrete slab.	Crack in reinforced concrete slab.
Separated frieze boards are a typical indication of foundation settlement.	Crack in wall from foundation movement.	Doors out of square in frames indicate foundation movement.
Relative movement between top of wall and ceiling.	Crack requires 2 x 4 to support ceiling.	Crack in ceiling resulting from foundation movement.

Leaks beneath the slab are usually not readily apparent. Excess water entering the soil supporting the foundation from a leak can cause the soil to lose strength and settle. Leaks can also cause the soil to expand and heave.

Roots and sludge in bottom of PVC sanitary sewer pipe.	Failed cast iron sanitary sewer pipe beneath slab.
Replacement PVC sanitary sewer pipe installed beneath slab.	PVC sanitary sewer connections installed beneath slab.

For that reason we strongly recommend the prospective buyer have a qualified plumber perform a pressure test on the domestic water system (the water coming into the structure). Looking to see if the water meter is running is not sufficient. Also ask to see old water bills. These may indicate excessive consumption.

We also strongly recommend the prospective buyer have a qualified plumber perform a static head test on the sanitary sewer system (the waste system leaving the structure).

Tree limb fell onto roof.
Blue tarp covers hole.

Interior view of roof showing broken roof truss and other structural elements.