Severe wind events can do more than break windows or lift shingles. When a storm is powerful enough to shift a home’s position on its foundation, the resulting damage touches nearly every system in the structure, from the masonry at the front entry to the door frames in the finished lower level. This case study documents the structural damage assessment and repair work performed for Earl in Parker, SD.
“The 2022 Derecho storm caused the home to shift approximately one inch to the west, leaving visible gaps of about 1 ½ inches between the foundation and surrounding soil. Although the roof sustained storm damage at the time, it has since been replaced. The basement level of the home had been remodeled in 2018, but the storm’s impact has caused both exterior and interior issues that remain unresolved. The homeowners are currently working with an attorney, as State Farm Insurance has not addressed the damages, and a structural engineer’s report is still required as part of the process. Damage observed includes structural shifting at the lower rear portion of the home, with impacts to the skirting and an exterior light fixture. Foundation separation is visible around the perimeter, as well as gaps along the brick edges at the front of the property extending from the entryway past the third garage stall. Water intrusion from the roof damage also caused ceiling damage on the main level. Inside the home, the shifting has resulted in extensive drywall cracking, separation, and misaligned door frames in the lower level, leaving many doors unable to open or close properly. Noticeable gapping in door jambs and frames suggests potential structural damage beyond drywall, paint, and trim.”
From the Crew project notes
Project Details
- Location: Parker, SD
- Service: Structural Repair
- Completed: January 2024
What Foundation Separation and Structural Shifting Actually Mean
When a structure shifts laterally, even by a small amount, the effects ripple outward in ways that are not always obvious at first glance. The foundation is designed to carry the home’s load in a fixed position. When that position changes, the connections between the foundation, framing, and finished surfaces are placed under stress they were never intended to absorb.
On a typical loss like this, a contractor and a structural engineer will look at several things together: the direction and degree of movement, whether the shift was uniform or localized, and whether the framing above the foundation has racked (meaning the rectangular shape of wall sections has been pulled into a parallelogram). Visible gaps between a foundation and the surrounding soil, or between masonry elements and adjacent framing, are important field observations because they help establish the extent of movement and inform what corrective work is needed.
A structural engineer’s report is a standard requirement in situations involving foundation movement. That report establishes what remediation is appropriate and provides documentation that insurers and attorneys can rely on during a claim process.
Interior Symptoms: Drywall, Door Frames, and What They Signal
Extensive drywall cracking and misaligned door frames are among the most telling interior indicators of structural movement. In a well-built home, drywall cracks of this nature do not appear from settling alone. When cracks run diagonally from the corners of door and window openings, or when multiple door frames in the same area of a home become difficult to operate, it points to movement in the framing behind the finished surfaces.
On a typical structural repair project involving this kind of damage, the scope of work is determined in layers. Cosmetic repairs to drywall, paint, and trim are addressed last, after the underlying structural issues have been corrected. Attempting to patch and paint over cracked drywall without first stabilizing the framing will result in the same cracks returning. Door frames that are out of square because the surrounding framing has shifted will need that framing corrected before the doors can be rehung and operate properly.
Water intrusion from a roof event adds another layer of complexity. Even after a roof has been replaced, ceiling materials that absorbed moisture during the original event may need to be assessed and replaced as part of the overall restoration scope.
Working Through an Insurance Dispute on a Storm Damage Claim
Storm damage claims involving structural movement can be among the most complex in residential restoration. When a claim is disputed or unresolved, homeowners often benefit from having detailed documentation from both a structural engineer and a qualified contractor. That documentation creates a clear record of what was observed, what caused it, and what repair is required.
If you are in a similar situation, with storm damage that has not been resolved through your insurer, Crew Restoration and Construction can provide thorough documentation of observed damage and a scope of work that supports the claims process. Our team works alongside engineers, adjusters, and legal representatives when needed.
Call Crew Restoration and Construction at (605) 965-2727 or email [email protected] to discuss your storm damage or structural repair needs.