Rot in Support Beam Under Large Palladian Window GENERAL INFORMATION Date and Time of Fact-Finding Investigation: Oct. 15 @ 9:00 am and Nov. 3 @ 8:30 am Weather Conditions: 10/15 Sunny 65°, 11/3 Sunny 50° Name of Homeowner(s): Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Stewart Parties Present at Fact-Finding: October 15 - Jerry Stewart, the Owner, Jon Thomas of Thomas & Ass., and William Stanton of Criterium-Stanton Engineers. November 3 - Jon Thomas, Ken Strong, Stewart’s repair contractor, and William Stanton. Items Observed and Measured October 15 - Wood frame and panels around front palladian window, transom, and door. November 3 - Structural support members after the wood panel covering was removed. Description of the Property All directions in the discussion that follows are in relation to a person facing the front of the house. The house is a two-story brick structure, approximately 3000 sq. ft. in size (Photo 1). It has a hip roof and crawlspace foundation. The center part of the house projects out 3 to 4 feet to create an entrance foyer with a two-story vaulted ceiling. The entry door unit consists of a door with sidelights, a transom window immediately above the door, and a palladian window that extends to the roof eave. The unit has a total height of 18 to 20 feet. The palladian window is thermopane glass and weighs several hundred pounds. The palladian window unit also may support some of the brick wall above. If so, this would increase the weight. Method of Investigation At the beginning of my investigation on October 15, I interviewed Mr. Stewart about the history of the conditions. I then inspected the exterior and interior of the entry door unit, paying particular attention to the sag in the transom window frame. I climbed up a ladder and probed the exterior panel above the door with an awl to determine the extent of the rot (Photo 2). I placed a 4' level on the transom window to determine the amount of deflection (sag) in the frame. I took several photographs of the outside and inside conditions. Mr. Stewart, Jon Thomas, and I agreed that the only way to be certain about the cause of the sag was to remove the exterior wood panel between the transom window and palladian window. On November 3, Mr. Stewart’s repair contractor removed the wood panel. Jon Thomas and I inspected the door again on that date. During this visit, I climbed up a ladder, inspected, and photographed the exposed wood supports (Photo 12). Background Mr. Stewart told me that several windows in the house, including the palladian window, leaked soon after they moved in. He said that Thomas & Ass. had to come out several times during the first year to do extensive caulking around the window and doorframes. About two years ago, Mr. Stewart had a carpenter recaulk all the windows and dormers. The carpenter told Mr. Stewart that there was rot in the wood panel under the palladian window. About two months ago, Mr. Stewart had a carpenter inspect the palladian window and door unit again because he noticed a sag in the top of the transom window frame. The carpenter told Mr. Stewart that the sag was probably caused by rot in the structural supports under the palladian window. | Top | Table of Contents | OBSERVATIONS October 15 Observations There is a º"" sag in the top of the transom window frame. The sag is noticeable on the interior and exterior sides. There are cracks in the top of the transom window frame in the center of the frame and at the upper corners. The cracks appear to be stress cracks caused by the weight of the palladian window. The wood panel between the transom window and palladian window is rotted throughout most of its width (Photo 3). There is also some rot in the door sidelights. November 3 Observations The wood header between the transom window and palladian window consists of 2 - 2 x 10ís, 3 - 2 x 4ís, and a 9?"" manufactured wood I-beam. The outer 2 x 10 is severely rotted. The inner 2 x 10 is slightly rotted (Photo 5). The top of the transom window frame has become detached from the 2 x 10 header because of the rot (also Photo 5). There is a sawcut in the wood I-beam between the top flange and web (Photo 6). | Top | Table of Contents | FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS The main support for the palladian window is provided by the 2 - 2 x 10ís. Although the 3 - 2 x 4ís and wood I-beam help support the palladian window, the 2 - 2 x 10ís are strong enough by themselves to support the weight. The 2 x 4ís and wood I-beam serve mostly as filler pieces between the 2 x 10ís and palladian window. The sawcut in the wood I-beam has weakened it as a structural member, but it is has not materially reduced its strength as a filler piece. The structural members were adequate to support the palladian window when the house was constructed. Water has penetrated the outer wood panel and rotted the 2 x 10 header beams to the point where they no longer provide adequate support. They should be replaced. | Top | Table of Contents | LIMITATIONS The observations described in the report are valid on the date of the investigation and were made under the conditions noted in the report. We prepared the report for the exclusive use of Residential Warranty Corporation and their successors and assignees. Criterium-Stanton Engineers does not intend any other individual or party to rely upon the report without our express written consent. If another individual or party relies on the report, they shall indemnify and hold Criterium-Stanton Engineers harmless for any damages, losses, or expenses they may incur as a result of its use. The report is limited to the visual observations we made during our inspection. We are not responsible for conditions that were not within the scope of our services at the time of inspection. The report should not be considered a warranty of condition, and no warranty is implied. | Top | Table of Contents | William A. Stanton, P.E. | Top | Table of Contents | | Structural Inspections | Residential & Commercial Services |