Structural Deficiencies
How a Structural Engineer Can Help
If you are concerned about the safety of your structure, it is essential to have it inspected by a qualified structural engineer. We’re here for you!
Structural Deficiencies
Structural deficiencies come in many forms. They can be minor, extremely serious, or somewhere in between. Penn Valley Engineering highly recommends an inspection if you have any apprehension about the home/building you own or are looking to own. We can assess the damage, recommend a course of action, and in some cases, identify potential problems before any harm is done.
Potential Structural Issues
We receive inquiries nearly every day from homeowners, business owners, realtors, and others about issues they have discovered in their property. The most common phrases we hear include:
- Cracks in the walls, ceilings, or foundations
- Sagging/uneven floors or ceilings
- Water damage
- Doors or windows that don’t open or close properly
- Loose or missing bricks, mortar, or tiles
- Damage to structural supports (due to various reasons including termite damage)
These can all be signs of structural deficiencies. If you notice any possible issues in your home or business, hire a licensed professional who is trained to design and analyze structures. Our structural engineer will inspect your structure, identify any structural deficiencies, and recommend repairs. You will have a solution to correct the deficiencies making the structure safe. Contact us so we can schedule an inspection for you.
Common Structural Deficiencies
- Foundation Cracks
- Foundation Settlement
- Cracked and bowing/buckling basement foundation walls
- Uneven & sloping floors
- Sagging roofs
- Undersized, over-spanned, fractured, or distressed floor joists, roof rafters, beams, and headers
- Undersized foundations
- Cut roof trusses
- Wet rot & dry rot wood decay
- Termite damage
- Construction errors and poor workmanship
- Storm-water & Groundwater Drainage problems and management issues
Causes of Structural Deficiencies
A structural deficiency is a flaw in the design or construction of a building that can lead to failure. They can be caused by a variety of factors. If left unaddressed, these deficiencies can pose a serious risk to the safety of the building’s occupants.
3 Most Common Causes of Structural Deficiencies
1
Poor workmanship: If a building is not constructed properly, it may be more likely to develop structural problems.
2
Natural disasters: Earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters can damage buildings and cause structural faults.
3
Wear and tear: Over time, all buildings will experience wear and tear. This can lead to structural problems if the building is not properly maintained.
Structural deficiencies can pose a serious risk to the safety of any occupants living or visiting an unsound building. If you notice any signs of structural deficiencies in your building, it is important to have them inspected by one of PVE’s qualified structural engineers. They can identify and assess the severity of structural problems and can recommend repairs or renovations that are necessary to correct the issues.
Need an emergency response? Our licensed professional engineer can render an opinion as to the structural integrity of your structure. Call us now.
Risks of Structural Deficiencies
If you live or work in a building with structural issues, there are a few things you can do to stay safe:
- Be aware of the signs of structural deficiencies.
- Avoid areas of the building that show signs of damage.
- Report any problems to the building owner or manager.
- If you are concerned about the safety of the building, you may want to consider moving out.
It is important to remember that structural deficiencies can be very dangerous. If you are concerned about the safety of your building, it is important to have it inspected by a qualified structural engineer.
Structural Engineer NJ • Structural Engineer PHILA • Structural Engineer DE • Structural Engineer FL
For more information on structural engineering services
call us at (856) 872-3537 in New Jersey, (215) 821-7686 in Philadelphia, or (321) 394-8026 in Florida.
The Benefits of Hiring a Structural Engineer
Working with the structural engineers at Penn Valley Engineering can provide a number of benefits, including:
- Peace of mind: Knowing that your building or structure is safe and sound can give you peace of mind.
- Increased property value: Making repairs or renovations to correct structural problems can increase the value of your property.
- Avoidance of costly repairs: Structural deficiencies can lead to costly repairs if they are not addressed. Engaging Penn Valley Engineering can help you identify and correct these issues before they cause major problems.
Structural deficiencies can pose a serious safety hazard. If you notice any signs of structural deficiencies in your building or structure, it’s important to have a structural engineer inspect it as soon as possible. At Penn Valley Engineering, we take your safety very seriously. Our structural engineer will identify and offer solutions to correct these deficiencies, making your building or structure safe and sound.
Additional Professional
Structural Engineering Services
Professional Design Services
- Existing bearing wall removal, beam/header design
- Framing deficiency analysis and design for correction
- Foundation underpinning or replacement design
- Basement foundation wall strengthening and repair design
- New Foundation Design
- New Floor and Roof Framing Design
- Cut roof trusses analysis and repair design
- Wood Pile foundation design
- Helical Pile foundation design
Investigative Services
- Structural Evaluations
- Foundation & Framing Inspections
- Construction Defect Assessments
- Damage Assessment & Structural Distress
- Historic Structure Assessment
- Emergency Response
- Expert Witness
- MEP Support
- Failure Analysis
Testimonial
“Penn Valley is my go to when it comes to anything structural. I have worked with the team at Penn Valley for over 5 years and will always use them when myself or my clients need any engineering inspections or drawings done. I’ve used almost every engineer in NJ over the last ten years and nobody comes close to Penn Valley. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!”
Aaron S. – reviewing structural engineering in Shamong, New Jersey