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STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS & DEFECTS

ADVANCED INSPECTION METHODS
AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine
ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID

BARK SIDE DOWN on DECKS, TRIM, STEPS
BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
BARK SIDE DOWN on DECKS, TRIM, STEPS
BASKETBALL MOLD SYNDROME - BBMS
BEST CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES GUIDE

BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS
BRICK STRUCTURAL WALL Loose Bulged
Brick Thermal Expansion Cracking
BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged
BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES
BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE
BUILDING SETTLEMENT

CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR
COLUMNS & POSTS, DEFECTS
CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS
CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS, PRE-CAST
Cracks, Checking or Splitting Beams & Log Homes
CRAWL SPACES

DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION
Deck Construction Best Practices
DECK COLLAPSE Case Study
DECK FINISHES COATINGS PRESERVATIVES
DECK FLASHING LEAKS, ROT Case Study
DECKS, ROOFTOP CONSTRUCTION

DEBRIS STAINING on ROOFS
DEFINITIONS of Mobile Home, Doublewide, Modular, Panelized
DEFINITIONS of ENGINEERED WOOD OSB LVL etc
DEW POINT CALCULATION for WALLS
DEW POINT TABLE - CONDENSATION POINT GUIDE
DISASTER BUILDING INSPECTION & REPAIR SAFEY

EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS
ENERGY SAVINGS in BUILDINGS
ENGINEERED WOOD Flooring
ENGINEERED WOOD Products

FIRE DAMAGE vs MOLD DAMAGE

FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP
FLOODS IN BUILDINGS-mold
FLOOR, ENGINEERED WOOD & LAMINATES
FLOOR FRAMING & SUBFLOOR for TILE
FLOOR TYPES & DEFECTS
FLOOR TILE ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION
FLOOR TILE HISTORY & INGREDIENTS

FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINS
FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods

FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS
FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPES
FOUNDATION CONTRACTORS, ENGINEERS
FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINS
FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods

FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE
  BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS
  BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
  CRAWL SPACES
  EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS
  FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPES
  FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODS
  FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL
  FOUNDATION FAILURES by MOVEMENT TYPE
  FLOOD DAMAGE TO FOUNDATIONS
  FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION
  FOUNDATION CRACK EVALUATION
    CRACK MONITORING Methods
    DIAGONAL FOUNDATION CRACKS
    HORIZONTAL FOUNDATION CRACKS
    SHRINKAGE vs EXPANSION vs SETTLEMENT
    Sinkholes & Building Damage
    Thermal Expansion Cracking of Brick
    VERTICAL FOUNDATION CRACKS
  FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS
  FOUNDATION DAMAGE REPORTS
  FOUNDATION DAMAGE SEVERITY
  FOUNDATION INSPECTION STANDARDS
  FOUNDATION MOVEMENT ACTIVE vs. STATIC
  FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS
  PIER or PILE FOUNDATIONS
  SITE FACTORS AFFECTING FOUNDATIONS
  SLAB CRACK EVALUATION
  SLAB CRACK REPAIR

FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION - MISSING

FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL
  BLOCK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS
  BRICK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS
  BRICK STRUCTURAL WALLS Loose, Bulged
  Brick Thermal Expansion Cracking
  BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged
  BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES
  CONCRETE POURED FOUNDATION WALL, SLAB DEFECTS
  CONCRETE PRE-CAST FOUNDATION DEFECTS
  STONE FOUNDATION DEFECTS
  WOOD FOUNDATION DEFECTS

FOUNDATION FAILURES by MOVEMENT TYPE
  BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS
  BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
  BULGED vs. LEANING FOUNDATIONS
  COMBINATIONS OF FOUNDATION MOVEMENT
    Bulge & step cracks
    Earthquake Damage to Foundations
    Flood Damage to Foundations
    Foundation Movement During Collapse
    Other Foundation Step cracks
  HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS
    Bulging, Leaning & Sliding Wall
    Horizontal Foundation Creep
    Horizontal Movement & step cracks in brick
    Impact Damage to Foundations
    Thermal Expansion Cracking in Brick
  SETTLEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS
  SHRINKAGE CRACKS in CONCRETE
  VERTICAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS
    Diagonal Cracks in Concrete Foundations
    Diagonal Step Cracking in Masonry
    Differential vs. Uniform Settlement Cracks
    Leaning or Tipping Buildings
    Uniform Width vs. Tapered Foundation Cracks
    Vertical Cracks

FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODS
FOUNDATION INSULATION OPTIONS
FOUNDATION MATERIALS, Age, Types

FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS
  Bulged foundation Repairs
  Crack Repair Methods
  FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods
  Horizontal Movement Repairs
  Seal Cracks by Polyurethane Foam Injection
  Seal Cracks in Concrete, How To
  Shrinkage Crack Repairs
  SLAB CRACK REPAIR
  Vertical Foundation Movement Repairs

FOUNDATION SETTLEMENT
FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING

FRAMING DAMAGE, INSPECTION, REPAIR
FRAMING DETAILS for BETTER INSULATION
FRAMING DETAILS for DOUBLE WALL HOUSES
FRAMING & SUBFLOOR for TILE
FRAMING MATERIALS, Age, Types
FRAMING METAL STUD PERFORMANCE
FRAMING METHODS, Age, Types
FRAMING SIZE & Spacing, Age, Types
FRAMING TABLES, SPANS for DECKS

FRENCH DRAINS
FROST HEAVES, FOUNDATION, SLAB
FRT PLYWOOD

GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION
GLUES ADHESIVES, EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION
GRADING & SITE WORK, EXTERIOR
GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS

HOUSE PARTS, DEFINITIONS
HOUSEWRAP INSTALLATION DETAILS

I-JOISTS, Wood Roof Floor

KIT HOMES, Aladdin, Sears, Wards, Others

LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION

LOG HOME GUIDE
LVL Laminated Veneer Lumber, Beams

MOBILE HOMES, DOUBLEWIDES, TRAILERS
MODULAR HOME CONSTRUCTION

MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS

NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE

OSB - Oriented Strand Board

PANELIZED CONSTRUCTION
PLASTER BULGES & PILLOWS
PLASTER, LOOSE FALL HAZARDS
PLYWOOD Roof, Wall, Floor Decks & Sheathing
PORCH CONSTRUCTION & SCREENING
PRE-CUT & KIT HOMES
Preservative-Treated Framing Lumber

RAILINGS, DECK & PORCH
RAILINGS, STAIRWAY
RETAINING WALL DESIGNS, TYPES, DAMAGE
RETAINING WALL GUARD RAILINGS
ROT, FUNGUS, TERMITES
ROT, TIMBER FRAME

SEARS KIT HOUSES
SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY
SHEATHING, FIBERBOARD
SHEATHING, Gypsum board
SHEATHING Homasote & Other Board
SHEATHING, OSB
SHEATHING, Plywood
SHEATHING, FOIL FACED - VENTS
SIDING, Sheathing Identification - Photo Guide
SINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNS
SINKING BUILDINGS

SLAB CRACK EVALUATION
  Control Joint Cracks in Concrete
  Freezing & Water Damage
  Frost Heave/Expansive Soil Cracks in Slabs
  Settlement Cracks in Slabs
  Settlement Cracks vs. Frost Heaves
  Settlement Cracks vs. Shrinkage Cracks
  Shrinkage Cracks in Slabs
  Shrinkage Cracks Along Foundation Walls

SLAB CRACK REPAIR
  Control Joint Cracks in Concrete
  Seal Cracks by Polyurethane Foam Injection
  Seal Cracks in Concrete, How To
  Standards for Repair of Cracks in Floors
  Vertical Foundation Movement Repairs

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
Splits in Structural Wood Beams
STAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOG
STAINS on BUILDINGS - QUICK GUIDE
STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS
STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS
STONE CLEANING METHODS
STONE FOUNDATIONS
STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION
STRESS SKIN INSULATED PANELS
STUCCO WAll FAILURES DUE TO WEATHER
STUCCO WALL METHODS & INSTALLATION
STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION
STUCCO PAINT FAILURES
SUMP PUMPS GUIDE
SWEATING (CONDENSATION) on PIPES, TANKS

TERMITES, ROT
THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL MASS in BUILDINGS
TRUSS UPLIFT, ROOF
TRUSSES, Floor & Roof

VAPOR BARRIERS & CONDENSATION in BUILDINGS
VENTILATION in BUILDINGS

WATER BARRIERS, EXTERIOR BUILDING
WATER ENTRY in BUILDINGS
WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS
WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING
WINDOWS & DOORS, Age, Types

WINTERIZE A BUILDING

More Information

Photograph of a substantial settlement crack in poured concrete.How to Diagnose & Evaluate Diagonal Foundation Cracks
InspectAPedia®  -    

  • How to Evaluate Diagonal Foundation Cracks
  • Photographs of types of foundation cracks
InspectAPedia offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at InspectAPedia.com/Contact.htm.

This chapter of the "Foundation Crack Bible" discusses in detail the process of evaluating foundation diagonal foundation cracks, step cracks, and signs of foundation damage. Foundation cracks and movement are discussed by type and location of foundation cracks, vertical foundation cracks, horizontal cracks, and diagonal foundation cracks, and shrinkage cracking.

Foundation cracks, which are signs of foundation damage, can mean very different things depending on the material from which a foundation is made, the location, size, and shape of the foundation crack, and other site observations. Also see FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS which explains a simple method for determining how much bulge or lean is present in a foundation or wall, then see FOUNDATION MOVEMENT ACTIVE vs. STATIC which helps determine if the foundation movement is ongoing, and see FOUNDATION DAMAGE SEVERITY for a discussion of how we evaluate the significance of evidence of foundation movement.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

DIAGONAL FOUNDATION CRACKS - Diagonal & Step Crack Patterns in Building Foundations

Photograph of a substantial settlement crack in poured concrete.

This settlement crack probably occurred during initial footing settlement.

Notice that it is wider at the top than the bottom of the crack. This suggests that the footing to the left or right of the crack has moved downwards, with further downwards movement as we move further from the crack itself.

If this is new construction and the crack does not change in width the site conditions may have stabilized.

Clues to help diagnose the probable cause of diagonal foundation cracks in buildings:

  • From corner towards adjacent opening, wider at top than bottom - often due to foundation settlement, expansive clay soil, frost damage, or damage from a shrub/tree close to the foundation wall.
  • Under a ground floor window, from sill to ground, sill bowed up - often due to foundation heave, clay soil, frost, shallow or absent footings
  • In the foundation wall anywhere, wider at bottom than top - settlement under building
  • At building corners in cold climates - frost heave, frost lensing, shallow footings, water problem, or insufficient backfill. In a typical raised ranch with a garage located in part of the basement, and with the garage entering at one end of a home, we often find step cracks in the front and rear foundation walls only on the garage-end of the home. These cracks may correspond to some related observations: (1) there may be less backfill against the front and rear foundation walls where a garage entry is located between them; (2) the reduction in backfill combined with an un-heated garage may expose these building corners to more frost damage; (3) if a building downspout or gutter defect spills roof drainage against the building wall, these forces will often combine to make more severe frost cracks appear on the garage-entry end of the home.
  • Vertical or diagonal crack which over a short time - settlement over sink holes- serious, open suddenly after rain; or ravines, mulch, fill, organic debris (later rots and settles).
  • Over window/door, straight or diagonal - loading/header defect - may appear as horizontal along top or bottom of header, vertical at ends of header (possibly due to differences in thermal expansion of different materials of header vs. wall) or vertical/diagonal at center of header (loading failure) or at corners (possible point-load failure)
  • Cracks in a poured concrete foundation which are diagonal or vertical and which are generally uniform in width, or which taper to an irregular hairline form, usually in fact a discontinuous crack in the hairline area, are usually shrinkage cracks and should not be ongoing nor of structural significance, though they may invite water entry through the wall.

Note that often at these foundation failures cracks are visible both outside and inside, but outside they may be covered by backfill.

For detecting evidence of sink holes in an area by visual inspection see Sink Holes: Can X-Ray Vision [Advanced Building & Building Site Inspection Techniques] Warn of Sink Holes? in Florida or elsewhere

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FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS
FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPES
FOUNDATION CONTRACTORS, ENGINEERS
FOOTING & FOUNDATION DRAINS
FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods

FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE
  BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS
  BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
  CRAWL SPACES
  EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED FOUNDATIONS
  FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION TYPES
  FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODS
  FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL
  FOUNDATION FAILURES by MOVEMENT TYPE
  FLOOD DAMAGE TO FOUNDATIONS
  FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION
  FOUNDATION CRACK EVALUATION
    CRACK MONITORING Methods
    DIAGONAL FOUNDATION CRACKS
    HORIZONTAL FOUNDATION CRACKS
    SHRINKAGE vs EXPANSION vs SETTLEMENT
    Sinkholes & Building Damage
    Thermal Expansion Cracking of Brick
    VERTICAL FOUNDATION CRACKS
  FOUNDATION BULGE or LEAN MEASUREMENTS
  FOUNDATION DAMAGE REPORTS
  FOUNDATION DAMAGE SEVERITY
  FOUNDATION INSPECTION STANDARDS
  FOUNDATION MOVEMENT ACTIVE vs. STATIC
  FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS
  PIER or PILE FOUNDATIONS
  SITE FACTORS AFFECTING FOUNDATIONS
  SLAB CRACK EVALUATION
  SLAB CRACK REPAIR

FOUNDATION DEFECTS OF OMISSION - MISSING

FOUNDATION FAILURES by TYPE & MATERIAL
  BLOCK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS
  BRICK FOUNDATION & WALL DEFECTS
  BRICK STRUCTURAL WALLS Loose, Bulged
  Brick Thermal Expansion Cracking
  BRICK VENEER WALL Loose, Bulged
  BRICK WALL DRAINAGE WEEP HOLES
  CONCRETE POURED FOUNDATION WALL, SLAB DEFECTS
  CONCRETE PRE-CAST FOUNDATION DEFECTS
  STONE FOUNDATION DEFECTS
  WOOD FOUNDATION DEFECTS

FOUNDATION FAILURES by MOVEMENT TYPE
  BRICK FOUNDATIONS & WALLS
  BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
  BULGED vs. LEANING FOUNDATIONS
  COMBINATIONS OF FOUNDATION MOVEMENT
    Bulge & step cracks
    Earthquake Damage to Foundations
    Flood Damage to Foundations
    Foundation Movement During Collapse
    Other Foundation Step cracks
  HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS
    Bulging, Leaning & Sliding Wall
    Horizontal Foundation Creep
    Horizontal Movement & step cracks in brick
    Impact Damage to Foundations
    Thermal Expansion Cracking in Brick
  SETTLEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS
  SHRINKAGE CRACKS in CONCRETE
  VERTICAL MOVEMENT IN FOUNDATIONS
    Diagonal Cracks in Concrete Foundations
    Diagonal Step Cracking in Masonry
    Differential vs. Uniform Settlement Cracks
    Leaning or Tipping Buildings
    Uniform Width vs. Tapered Foundation Cracks
    Vertical Cracks

FOUNDATION INSPECTION METHODS
FOUNDATION INSULATION OPTIONS
FOUNDATION MATERIALS, Age, Types

FOUNDATION REPAIR METHODS
  Bulged foundation Repairs
  Crack Repair Methods
  FOOTINGS EXPOSED, Repair Methods
  Horizontal Movement Repairs
  Seal Cracks by Polyurethane Foam Injection
  Seal Cracks in Concrete, How To
  Shrinkage Crack Repairs
  SLAB CRACK REPAIR
  Vertical Foundation Movement Repairs
FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING

  • Sal Alfano - Editor, Journal of Light Construction*
  • Thanks to Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for technical critique and some of the foundation inspection photographs cited in these articles
  • Terry Carson - ASHI
  • Mark Cramer - ASHI
  • JD Grewell, ASHI
  • Duncan Hannay - ASHI, P.E. *
  • Bob Klewitz, M.S.C.E., P.E. - ASHI
  • Ken Kruger, P.E., AIA - ASHI
  • Bob Peterson, Magnum Piering - 800-771-7437 - FL*
  • Arlene Puentes, ASHI, October Home Inspections - (845) 216-7833 - Kingston NY
  • Greg Robi, Magnum Piering - 800-822-7437 - National*
  • Dave Rathbun, P.E. - Geotech Engineering - 904-622-2424 FL*
  • Ed Seaquist, P.E., SIE Assoc. - 301-269-1450 - National
  • Dave Wickersheimer, P.E. R.A. - IL, professor, school of structures division, UIUC - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Architecture. Professor Wickersheimer specializes in structural failure investigation and repair for wood and masonry construction. * Mr. Wickersheimer's engineering consulting service can be contacted at HDC Wickersheimer Engineering Services. (3/2010)
  • *These reviewers have not returned comment 6/95

Technical Edits, Changes, Amendments to This Document

  • 06/07/2007 adding text, illustrations, content
  • 9/23/2006 editing to clarify text and add content; Technical review (partial) by Arlene Puentes.
  • 4/17/2006 editing to clarify text in several sections.
  • 2/6/99 editing updates, soliciting additional reviews
  • 2/3/99 Converted working text file to MSWord97 .doc and .htm files for easier review on Internet
  • 6/26/95 text updates per comments from Al Carson, Terry Carson, Mark Cramer 6/16/95 text updates for Calgary July 1995
  • cc's sent to reviewers
  • 3/28/95 uploaded to ASHI's Internet site - asfoun01.txt
  • 11/19/93 Ed Seaquist - telecon 11/19/93, likes, will write up one of our sections for my/our target of series of journal articles or a book.
  • © Dan Friedman 1999, original 1992 All Rights Reserved -- foundation.htm

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson Dunlop The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop, and from the InspectAPedia bookstore. The 2010 edition of the Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
  • Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
  • Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
  • The Journal of Light Construction has generously given reprint permission to InspectAPedia.com for certain articles found at this website. All rights and contents to those materials are ©Journal of Light Construction and may not be reproduced in any form.
  • Appliances and Home Electronics, - energy savings, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Avongard foundation crack progress chart for structural crack monitoring
  • Basement Moisture Control, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724 ISBN-13: 978-0471331728
  • Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, David Watt, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008) ISBN-10: 1405161035 ISBN-13: 978-1405161039
  • The Circular Staircase, Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • Construction Drawings and Details, Rosemary Kilmer
  • Crawl Space Moisture Control, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Diagnosing & Repairing House Structure Problems, Edgar O. Seaquist, McGraw Hill, 1980 ISBN 0-07-056013-7 (obsolete, incomplete, missing most diagnosis steps, but very good reading; out of print but used copies are available at Amazon.com, and reprints are available from some inspection tool suppliers). Ed Seaquist was among the first speakers invited to a series of educational conferences organized by D Friedman for ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors, where the topic of inspecting the in-service condition of building structures was first addressed.
  • Design of Wood Structures - ASD, Donald E. Breyer, Kenneth Fridley, Kelly Cobeen, David Pollock, McGraw Hill, 2003, ISBN-10: 0071379320, ISBN-13: 978-0071379328
    This book is an update of a long-established text dating from at least 1988 (DJF); Quoting:
    This book is gives a good grasp of seismic design for wood structures. Many of the examples especially near the end are good practice for the California PE Special Seismic Exam design questions. It gives a good grasp of how seismic forces move through a building and how to calculate those forces at various locations. THE CLASSIC TEXT ON WOOD DESIGN UPDATED TO INCLUDE THE LATEST CODES AND DATA. Reflects the most recent provisions of the 2003 International Building Code and 2001 National Design Specification for Wood Construction. Continuing the sterling standard set by earlier editions, this indispensable reference clearly explains the best wood design techniques for the safe handling of gravity and lateral loads. Carefully revised and updated to include the new 2003 International Building Code, ASCE 7-02 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, the 2001 National Design Specification for Wood Construction, and the most recent Allowable Stress Design.
  • Building Failures, Diagnosis & Avoidance, 2d Ed., W.H. Ransom, E.& F. Spon, New York, 1987 ISBN 0-419-14270-3
  • Domestic Building Surveys, Andrew R. Williams, Kindle book, Amazon.com
  • Defects and Deterioration in Buildings: A Practical Guide to the Science and Technology of Material Failure, Barry Richardson, Spon Press; 2d Ed (2001), ISBN-10: 041925210X, ISBN-13: 978-0419252108. Quoting:
    A professional reference designed to assist surveyors, engineers, architects and contractors in diagnosing existing problems and avoiding them in new buildings. Fully revised and updated, this edition, in new clearer format, covers developments in building defects, and problems such as sick building syndrome. Well liked for its mixture of theory and practice the new edition will complement Hinks and Cook's student textbook on defects at the practitioner level.
  • Guide to Domestic Building Surveys, Jack Bower, Butterworth Architecture, London, 1988, ISBN 0-408-50000 X
  • "Avoiding Foundation Failures," Robert Marshall, Journal of Light Construction, July, 1996 (Highly recommend this article-DF)
  • "A Foundation for Unstable Soils," Harris Hyman, P.E., Journal of Light Construction, May 1995
  • "Backfilling Basics," Buck Bartley, Journal of Light Construction, October 1994
  • "Inspecting Block Foundations," Donald V. Cohen, P.E., ASHI Reporter, December 1998. This article in turn cites the Fine Homebuilding article noted below.
  • "When Block Foundations go Bad," Fine Homebuilding, June/July 1998
  • Energy Recover Ventilation Systems for Buildings, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Energy Savings Methods: Whole House Systems Approach, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Historic Preservation Technology: A Primer, Robert A. Young, Wiley (March 21, 2008) ISBN-10: 0471788368 ISBN-13: 978-0471788362
  • Log Homes: Minimizing Air Leakage in Log Homes, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Log Homes: Controlling Moisture in Log Homes, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Log Homes: Log Home Design, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Moisture Control in Buildings, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Moisture Control in Walls, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Quality Standards for the Professional Remodeling Industry, National Association of Home Builders Remodelers Council, NAHB Research Foundation, 1987.
  • Quality Standards for the Professional Remodeler, N.U. Ahmed, # Home Builder Pr (February 1991), ISBN-10: 0867183594, ISBN-13: 978-0867183597
  • Natural Ventilation for Buildings, U.S. Department of Energy
  • R-Value of Wood, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Spot Ventilation for houses, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Slab on Grade Foundation Moisture and Air Leakage, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Straw Bale Home Design, U.S. Department of Energy provides information on strawbale home construction - original source at http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/designing_remodeling/index.cfm/mytopic=10350
  • More Straw Bale Building: A Complete Guide to Designing and Building with Straw (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series), Chris Magwood, Peter Mack, New Society Publishers (February 1, 2005), ISBN-10: 0865715181 ISBN-13: 978-0865715189 - Quoting:
    Straw bale houses are easy to build, affordable, super energy efficient, environmentally friendly, attractive, and can be designed to match the builder’s personal space needs, esthetics and budget. Despite mushrooming interest in the technique, however, most straw bale books focus on “selling” the dream of straw bale building, but don’t adequately address the most critical issues faced by bale house builders. Moreover, since many developments in this field are recent, few books are completely up to date with the latest techniques.
    More Straw Bale Building is designed to fill this gap. A completely rewritten edition of the 20,000-copy best--selling original, it leads the potential builder through the entire process of building a bale structure, tackling all the practical issues: finding and choosing bales; developing sound building plans; roofing; electrical, plumbing, and heating systems; building code compliance; and special concerns for builders in northern climates.
  • "Vapor Barriers or Vapor Diffusion Retarders", U.S. DOE: how vapor barriers work, types of vapor diffusion barriers, installing vapor barrier
  • Ventilation for energy efficient buildings, Purpose, Strategies, etc.,
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