Inspected a home that had signs of the CMU’s starting to buckle (1 - 1.5 inches). Called out the horizontal cracks and recommended further evaluation and repairs by qualified contractor. Owner had someone reinforce the walls with steel columns fasted to the concrete floor at the bottom and secured between the floor joists as the top. Blocking at the top was fasted to the floor joists with only 4 bugle head screws. I am going to say that these fasteners appear to be insufficient to properly secure the top blocking. Not sure what to say about the reinforcing steel columns. Anyone ever see this done?
Looks like a form of power bracing. I see it periodically. I agree the top doesn’t appear to be a very strong connection to the joists, based on just your pictures.
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Nope. That definitely needs an engineers approval!
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Absolutely…and, it looks like it was just done, seeing the drilling debris.
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The contractor that was 1/3 the price of the foundation repair guys won that bid.
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What you are seeing and describing is not the beginning of the problem, it is a scammy contractors (and VERY common) method of mitigating an old and on-going problem without properly repairing/rebuilding the foundation wall.
This has been discussed many,many times on the MB.
Use the search feature to find those threads. In fact, I remember one just a month or two ago.
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Really? It’s sad that someone actually paid for that sub-standard work.
You did the right thing by calling for a foundation contractor.
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Power braces (soldiers) are usually braced/supported by continuous lateral bracing that extends to the opposite foundation wall. Sometimes, this can utilize existing joists. That installation is suspect and further evaluation by a structural engineer is recommended.
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