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Anatomy of a Structural Failure
I took these pics at an inspection of a fine South Philly contractors' special. The problem wasn't readily apparent at first but it all took shape and became clear to me by the end of the inspection. Pics have been named clue1, clue2, etc. and were taken in the order they were observed from beginning of inspection to end.
Clue1 - cracked rear patio slab with clogged surface drain and vegetation that has been growing from out of the slab cracks for quite some time
Clue2 - a rear lower roof over the rear patio with no roof gutter or downspout further contributing to an eroded base at the rear of the house
Clue3, 4, 5, and 6 - separation and pulling at the wall corners and ceilings in the 2nd floor rear bathroom and bedroom
Clue7 - evidence of pulling and stretching of the rubber roof membrane on the rear section of the main roof
Clue8 - more evidence of rear wall movement - separation of tar sealed edge flashings on the rear of the main roof
Clue9 - widening separation at the junctin of the aluminum siding on the exterior rear side wall of the bathroom and adjacent stucco rear wall
End result is movement and separation of the rear wall of the house and possible foundation failure brought on by prolonged poor drainage at the rear of the property. Now there may be other factors at play here that cannot be seen below the surface but these are my personal inspection autopsy findings.
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