WHY Do I Need a Structural Inspection for Blasting?
We’re hearing confusion from our neighbors in the Triangle about whether residential properties need to be inspected prior to blasting if they reside close to a blasting site. Raleigh and surrounding areas are rapidly expanding with new commercial and residential developments. Here at Stonewall Structural Engineering, our experts recommend scheduling a home inspection prior to nearby blasting projects.
The 2020 housing boom saw a significant uptick in home sales. Homes were put on the market and sold the same day. There were simply not enough houses to keep up with demand. During the rush, many homebuyers forewent the typical home inspection and report. Fast-forward to 2024 and we are seeing a rise in new housing developments. But you already have a home, so why should construction at new developments matter?
When large areas of land are developed for residential communities, developers often utilize a construction technique known as blasting, a controlled use of expolosives. Blasting not only alters the topography at the build site, but it also has the potential to shake nearby existing foundations and concrete. The effects of blasting can mimic small earthquakes, sending seismic waves through the ground upon which your home is built. Much like an earthquake, the waves generated from blasting can cause damage to surrounding structures.
If you live in a Triangle neighborhood near new construction where blasting is expected to occur, consider getting your home inspected for one main reason:
Routine inspections are necessary for documenting damage over time.
Over time, standard foundation settling will occur and it’s important to keep track of these changes in your residence. Routine structural inspections are helpful to assess the state of your home. Think of it like a routine physical. Just as doctors recommend routine physicals to monitor the state of your well-being, structural inspections can serve as a checkpoint to monitor the sturdiness of your foundation, home framing, and overall structural well-being.
If you are located in an area where blasting is scheduled or ongoing, consider scheduling a structural home inspection. Routine inspections give you the opportunity to flag and prevent potential issues from developing further and provide a baseline for the home’s condition prior to blasting events. Getting a structural inspection now could save you thousands in repair costs later on.
If you recently purchased a home without a home inspection report, you may not be aware of structural issues lurking under the surface. Issues that may be exacerbated by local blasting. You may think your home warranty will cover any damage discovered after a blasting project has been completed. But if you don’t have an initial inspection before the blasting occurs, you may have difficulty convincing your builder’s home warranty provider that the damage to your home is related to the blasting.
What our engineers look for in residential properties:
- Nail pops
- Drywall cracks
- Sloped and uneven floors
These may be the signs of damage from previous blasts, or possible signs of normal settling over time. The number one sign issue that our engineers find in homes affected by blasting? Nail pops. They may seem small, but nail pops can signify a bigger structural problem. Wall cracks and sloped floors are often telltale signs of foundation issues, which could lead to much larger concerns regarding the structural state of your home.
Blasting damage typically shows up in the form of foundation cracks, brick veneer cracks, and less commonly drywall cracks—due to the seismic vibrations traveling underground. The resulting changes may appear slight, but over time blasting can affect the vertical load path of the home/structure and can lead to differential settlement, resulting in more severe damage to structural components of the home.
Will my home sustain damage from blasting?
It is nearly impossible to tell if a home will or will not sustain damage prior to a blasting project.
The proximity of your home to the blasting site, the amount of force used with the blast, and the underground geology are major factors that will inevitably play a role in the potential damage to your home. Blasting companies should notify homeowners prior to blasting. This doesn’t always happen.
Without routine structural inspections, you may not be able to prove to your home warranty provider that your structural issues fall under their policy. Five years from now, when your home continues settling and the floors become increasingly uneven, you will be paying out of pocket for those repairs. Alternatively, you can have an engineer document potential structural concerns now and take preventative measures, before it’s too late.
Do you have a blasting site close to your home? Are there plans for a new development in your area? At Stonewall Structural Engineering our team is ready to help assess the state of your home in an effort to mitigate future structural issues. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!
