Worse Than An Alligator In Your Attic?

 Improperly installed hollow core masonry block piers in the crawlspace!

(Photos by our inspectors Josh Hedges and Doug Simmons)

Hollow core concrete block are intended to support compression load configured with the hollow cores turned up. These block are not designed, manufactured or intended to be installed and support a load, such as a house, laid on their side. In this configuration the block are subject to structural failure and collapse. When they collapse they add compression load to other improperly installed structure causing each to collapse in succession. 

Interestingly some compressive loads are in excess, or the pier is too tall, for what the hollow core block alone is intended to handle. In this situation steel reinforcing can be added, turned up out of the footing and running through the hollow core of the block and the block filled with concrete. The same can be done in a foundation wall configuration especially for a below grade basement wall which will also offset the lateral forces of the soil and hydraulic (storm water) pressure exerted against the wall over the life of the foundation. 

Yes if your inspector finds an Alligator In Your Attic that may be a dangerous one time event. Hollow Core Concrete Block installed improperly can lead to failure of your foundation over a lifetime. 

Need to check for Alligators in your attic or improperly constructed or failing foundation? Book your inspection at www.chrisdhilton.com