Originally Posted By: Larry L Leesch This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Jane, the peeling paint is an indicator that there is a moisture problem in that area. Since you were not able to view that area from the crawlspace, I would recommend a a plumber to evaluate the system as the moisture is coming from somewhere under the house. The bow in the wall appears to be a repair that was not completed professionally.
Originally Posted By: rking This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
From what I can see of that picture the moisture could be coming from a couple of different sources.
It looks like the 'foundation' is in direct contact with the ground which will cause the wall to wick the moisture up out of the ground. And it does not look like the proper provisions have been made to prevent water and moisture (flashings) from penetrating the wall around the vent opening.
If it were me I would explain that water and houses don't mix.
The bowing is most likely caused by water and moisture penetration and will only get worse if it is not addressed within the next year, especially if you are in an area that is susceptible to freeze/thaw cycles.
I would also suggest that a foundation expert have a look and repair or replace as necessary.
-- Muskoka Home Inspections
"Wisdom is the Anticipation of the Consequences"
Steering Committee Member At Large
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
jane molina wrote:
it bows but is sound .... structurally sound.
I'm not picking on you, but how do you know that? Has testing or investigations been done to establish material strengths and construction, and have calculations been done to verify the capacity?
I am also an engineer, and have seen may installations that "appeared" sound with no significant defects observed. But after further investigation there was not sufficient capacity to resist extreme loading (wind, seismic, etc.) required by building codes ... so it was not "structurally sound" at all. Look at what happened to the South from hurricane Andrew ... 
I teach my HI students to stick to what they can see ... just "Observe & Report" ...
-- Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
Originally Posted By: dfox This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The flaking paint could simply be caused by water seeping behind the paint from the vent area.
That said however, if the bow is at the location of the vent opening then water may be rusting the re-bars internally.
Is there a hillside or retaining wall that may be sliding into the house?
If there is no evidence of movement/cracks etc, anywhere else around the bow (and it doesn't appear to have been repaired) then I would call for monitoring the situation, particularly during freezing and heavy rains. Also note that you were prevented from making a proper assesment due to lack of accessability.