In addition to our past foundation evaluation offering, Professional Engineering Inspections is offering a higher level of foundation evaluation that includes elevations and deflection criteria. We have been offering the option of a higher level of foundation evaluation for a while now; although, we have not really advertised it. In the past our foundation inspections were completed using a spirit level as the measurement tool when evaluating the levelness of the structure supported by the foundation we were inspecting. This was the primary method we used to evaluate foundation performance for the last 40+ years, and we have found it works well. To keep up with changes in technology and reporting we added Stanley Compu-Levels in the early ‘90s to take elevations and used them on an “as-needed” basis. When we first acquired this equipment, it was used mostly for legal inspections or on occasions when it was determined necessary for additional information by the engineer. We would also use this equipment when there was a desire to track performance in a transportable manner for comparisons, and when it was necessary to document opinions to be reviewed by others. We didn’t perform elevation measurements on every job because it was not cost effective for our clients and did not always provide useful information at a cost-effective price. Not every client needed this level of detail.
With improvements in software and on-site data collection we have been able to reduce the cost of taking and recording the data for publishing and add elevation survey data to our reports as a standard offering. For most of our clients wishing to determine the general condition and performance of their building’s foundation as a building owner or when considering the purchase of a building, we offer Level A and Level B evaluations as generally described in the ASCE Guidelines for the Evaluation and Repair of Residential Foundations. Unlike the Level A requirements of the ASCE Guidelines, Our Level A evaluation offering does include spirit level measurements, which we record and use internally to formulate an opinion, but which we do not publish with our inspection reports.
Level A foundation inspections are considered evaluations of first impressions by the ASCE. We add spirit level measurements to determine foundation movement trends across the structure which improves determination of trends and in determining the degree of settlement evident in a foundation. This is combined with site observations which aid the engineer in developing an opinion of a building’s foundation performance. This level of evaluation is often sufficient for clients who do not need long term tracking or documentation of the foundation’s performance. Level B adds a level of information which can be considered by the engineer allowing tracking of foundation performance over time, estimation of structural deflection, and transportability of measurements used to develop an opinion of performance or to provide to repair contractors for direction.
You can find further description of our expanded foundation evaluation offerings by clicking this link. If you have questions or comments fill out our contact page information or call our office and our office staff will be glad to discuss your needs. We can also have an engineer return your call regarding your project needs.
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