"This chaotic framing could be mistaken for abstract art."
"This photo from above the wall reveals the steps, which have also started to fail as they have lost the support they were resting on."
"The force of the landslide destroyed a back wall, allowing mud to find its way into almost every room. Including the bathroom… yikes."
"This wall, intended to retain the hillside, consists only of framing and stucco, lacking the necessary elements for a retaining wall such as rebar, a proper footing, and concrete to provide adequate support for retaining soil.
As a result, the wall is now failing."
"These stalactites were found in a below-grade structure. Stalactites form gradually over time as water seeps through cracks in the ceiling, carrying dissolved minerals that accumulate and create these formations."
"The post-and-pier final boss."
"This is an unconventional approach to a post and pier. Using bricks in replacement of a post and pier is merely a remedial repair to fill the gap. It can temporarily hold things together, but it doesn’t address the core issue as it lacks the proper support for the home."
"You can see this wall is suffering from spall damage and the rebar has been exposed.
Spalling refers to areas of concrete that have cracked and delaminated from the underlying layer."
"Another day, another landslide."
"The heavy rains triggered a series of landslides in our area, prompting numerous calls for assistance.
That TV…"
"The landslides in Portuguese Bend—an area in Rancho Palos Verdes—have been occurring for over 30 years now. The area is notorious for its significant land movement issues."
"This is going to be a massive cleanup effort."
"A landslide crashed into this home below.
Homes situated at the lower end of a hillside raise significant concerns due to their heightened vulnerability to various issues."
"This retaining wall is suffering from significant hydrostatic pressure from the groundwater in the hillside that it's supporting."
"There is now moss covering a majority of the retaining wall and the ground. Moss grows in environments with excessive moisture and needs it to survive. Therefore, the poor drainage in this area is the perfect breeding ground for it to thrive."
"The landslide left the house susceptible to collapse so the need for temporary shoring was imminent. This shoring was put in by another company to support the roof from total collapse."
"The bottom of the hillside reveals more of the aftermath from the landslide, which caused damage to this home. Despite some cleanup efforts, the car sustained severe damage."
"Last week we highlighted the significant land movement issues in Portuguese Bend. These thick concrete pavers that were ripped apart in the area are more proof of that."
"Back in 1956, a road crew excavated sediment and dumped it on top of the ancient landslide zone. This rendered the area geologically unstable and has been causing issues to this day.
Here, we can see this concrete slab that is tearing apart due to the ongoing land shifts. As Portuguese Bend has experienced decades of extreme shifting, it has become one of the most studied landslide areas in the nation."
"We're continuing to see numerous landslides stemming from the heavy rains earlier this year."
"This homeowner was wondering why their retaining wall was failing. Looks like we figured it out…
Instead of utilizing rebar for reinforcement, a chain link fence was used."
"Typically, a slab foundation rests directly on the earth with footings around the perimeter for support. Meanwhile, a post and pier foundation consists of concrete piers and wooden posts that provide support for the joists and girders.
This specific situation is uncommon as these are different types of foundations and can function effectively on their own if done properly."
"This home is suffering from wood rot.
Removing and replacing wood rot with new framing is crucial as it can quickly spread and compromise the structural integrity of the building."
"Here you can see the home is now showing other various signs of damage as well, such as misaligned doors and windows."
"With the landslide coming down into the pool, all the pool water washed out and made a huge mess. It left not only the homeowners' backyard in disarray but also impacted neighboring properties.
Dealing with the aftermath of this rain has been horrifying for homeowners all over SoCal."
"This retaining wall was built with the intention of supporting the hillside; however, it is visibly failing as it was not properly built to support the load.
The weight of the hill has caused the wall to split and lean, causing shifting in the sidewalk as well."
"It's imperative to take proactive steps, such as building a retaining wall for example, to mitigate the risk of potential landslides before they occur."
"We often get called out to assess homes in the area and are met with the most disastrous structural damage.
When you really put it into perspective, the force needed to break apart these thick concrete pavers is extreme."
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-do not build on hillsides
-avoid post and pier houses
Thanks for giving me good decision making tools i need for the imaginary house i will never be able to buy , on the quaint hillside i will never see:)
- Architects hit me up - i now have good tips for you :)
In ancient times Portuguese Bend was an island, but is now a peninsula due to slides. It is the worst place to build, made worse because of road construction 75 years ago.
Other places where they assess structural damage has clay soil which will expand and contract differently depending on the moisture. This can lead to a drop, leading to the posts not making contact and providing support.
Much of the area is rather terrible to build on, but it is California, and land prices are high.
Three years after closing, it was condemned.