Foundation Forensics
ASCE Level B Evaluation · Independent Technical Documentation · Multi-Visit Monitoring
Foundation Forensics · Independent Evaluation Platform

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Firm & Inspector Information

§ 0.0
Nature of This Report
This report is prepared by an independent foundation inspection firm operating strictly as a technical documentation provider. The firm does not perform foundation repair, sub-slab plumbing repair, or any remediation services on this or any property, and holds no financial interest in the outcome of subsequent repair decisions. Findings herein are the professional inspection opinions of the inspector named on the signature page, prepared in accordance with ASCE Level B evaluation methodology (Texas Section, Version 3, 2022). The observations and measurements contained within reflect conditions present at the date and time of each documented visit.

Not an engineering opinion. This report contains no engineering opinions on causation, structural load capacity, soils engineering analysis, or construction code-compliance certification. Where a signed and sealed causation opinion is required for insurance claim, litigation, or building permit purposes, a licensed Texas Professional Engineer must review the data contained herein and issue a separate opinion under their own seal, in accordance with Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1001 and TBPE rules.

Not claim negotiation. This report does not constitute negotiation, adjustment, or advocacy of any insurance claim. Under the Texas Insurance Code, only a licensed public adjuster or a licensed attorney may negotiate a claim on behalf of a policyholder. The firm makes findings available to whichever party the property owner engages for that purpose and takes no position on coverage, valuation, or settlement.

Opinions expressed herein are professional inspection opinions, exempted from professional-services liability under Texas DTPA §17.49(c).

0.1Inspecting Firm

0.2Inspector of Record

0.3Company Logo & Certification Marks

Logo appears on report cover and page header. Certification mark/seal (if applicable) appears in the signature block of the final page. Upload PNG with transparent background for best results.

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Project Information

§ 1.0

1.1Report Identification

1.2Subject Property

1.3Client

1.4Scope & Limitations

Applicable Standards & References
  • ASCE Texas Section, "Guidelines for the Evaluation and Repair of Residential Foundations," Version 3, adopted 1 April 2022 (superseding Versions 1 and 2)
  • International Residential Code (IRC) for one and two-family dwellings
  • FPA 201 — Foundation Performance Association Publication on Slab-on-Ground Foundations
  • ACI 117 — Specifications for Tolerances for Concrete Construction and Materials

Structural Description

§ 2.0

2.1Building Characteristics

2.2Foundation System

2.3Site Conditions

Site Geology — Published Soil Survey Data (USDA NRCS)

Published survey data is cited for context only and does not constitute a geotechnical investigation or engineering opinion. Parcel-specific subsurface conditions require site-specific geotechnical study by qualified professionals.

2.4Client Comments & History

Relative Elevation Survey

§ 3.0

3.1Instrumentation

3.2Measurement Points

Total points: 0
No measurement points recorded. Click "Add Point" to begin the survey.
Measurement Point Code System
  • M-## — Measurement point (e.g., M-01, M-02, ... M-24)
  • Reference — Datum point (marked REF)
  • Δ (delta) — Elevation differential relative to reference

Plan View & Contour Map

§ 3.5

3.5.1Floor Plan Overlay

Upload a floor plan image (SVG, PNG, or JPG). Click on the canvas to place measurement points at their physical locations. Drag points to reposition.

Ready. Upload a floor plan to begin.

3.5.2Plan Scale Calibration

Every distance this report derives from the floor plan — the § 3.6 segment runs, the § 5.2 deflection span, and the slopes computed from them — is a pixel measurement converted to feet. Uncalibrated, that conversion is an assumption, and a report that states a run in feet is asserting a measurement. Calibrate against one distance you know on site.

Sub-Slab Plumbing Impact Assessment

§ 3.6

3.6.1Background & Code Basis

Horizontal sanitary drainage piping must be installed at uniform slope to maintain self-cleansing flow velocity (≥ 2 ft/sec). Differential foundation settlement alters the as-built slope, potentially reducing flow below self-cleansing thresholds, creating back-pitch (reverse slope), or exceeding joint-deflection tolerances — resulting in separations, leaks, and accelerating foundation damage via soil erosion.

IPC Table 704.1 / IRC Table P3005.3 — Minimum Slope by Diameter
  • 2-1/2 in. pipe or smaller — 1/4 in./ft ( 2.083 % grade )
  • 3 in. through 6 in. pipe — 1/8 in./ft ( 1.042 % grade )
  • 8 in. and larger — 1/16 in./ft ( 0.521 % grade )

3.6.2Sewer System Parameters

3.6.3Sewer Line Routing

Define the sub-slab sewer line path on the floor plan. The underlying elevation field is interpolated from measurement points in § 3.0 / § 3.5.

Draw mode: click to place nodes along the sewer line. First = house start, last = exit to city main. Double-click a node to delete.

3.6.4Segment-by-Segment Impact

Place at least 2 sewer nodes to see segment analysis.

3.6.5Summary & Diagnosis

3.6.6Recommended Testing Protocol

3.6.7Insurance Claim Documentation

Most Texas homeowners policies may cover foundation repair when movement is attributable to a plumbing leak, provided the claim is filed before remediation begins. The claim summary consolidates findings for adjuster review.

Visual Observations

§ 4.0

4.1Interior Observations

Code prefix: I-##

4.2Exterior Observations

Code prefix: E-##

4.3Drainage Observations

Code prefix: D-##

Analysis

§ 5.0

5.1Summary Metrics

5.2Deflection & Tilt Calculations

Definitions used in this section

Deflection ratio (Δ/L) — bending. ASCE Texas Section Version 3 (2022) § 5.4 defines it as the maximum deviation of a third point from a straight line between two points, divided by the distance (L) between the two points. This tool searches every pair of plan-located points as a candidate chord and reports the governing (worst) triple. L is the chord length, not the overall plan extent. Tilt — rigid-body rotation, taken as the gradient of a least-squares plane fitted through the same points and expressed as a percentage. A slab can carry substantial tilt with no bending at all, and the two are reported separately for that reason. Elevation range — the arithmetic spread of the readings. It contains both effects and is not, by itself, either one.

What the source actually says, and its limits: § 5.5 cites the IRC allowable live-load deflection of L/360 for a structural floor member and offers it as an analogy — the whole foundation treated as one member, differential soil movement as live load — adding that below L/360 the foundation is unlikely to be materially deflected unless visible indications show otherwise. § 5.6 states that a tilt greater than 1 percent is usually noticeable and that the ADA considers a 2 percent slope too large. Those are the only numeric figures in the document. L/240 does not appear in it, and it contains no severity or damage classification table. Noticeable is not the same as damaged, and this tool computes the values without asserting either.

5.3Finding

Conclusions & Recommendations

§ 6.0

6.1Foundation Movement Finding

6.2Contributing Factors

6.3Testing Recommendations

6.4Structural Recommendations

6.5Drainage & Moisture Recommendations

6.6Limitations & Certification Statement

6.7Report Export

Report generated on export. PDF includes all sections, photos, plan view, and signature block with seal.

Visit Comparison & Movement Rate

§ 7.0
Purpose of this Section
This section quantifies changes between two documented visits at the same property. Movement rate calculations support insurance claim causation arguments (rapid onset vs. long-term seasonal movement), post-repair verification (has the foundation stabilized after remediation?), and crack-monitoring programs recommended in § 6.0. Data presented here is observational only; no engineering opinion on cause is offered.

7.1Select Visits to Compare

Select a baseline and current visit above to see movement rate analysis.

At least two visits are required. Use the + Monitoring Visit or + Post-Repair Survey button in the Visit Bar above to add a follow-up.