November 9, 2006 Site Report

January 21, 2011 Roof Report
May 22, 2017

Case Study

The front parapet wall is shifting and exhibits an inward leaning action. The cause of this action is in question.

Observations:A section of the front wall is leaning in toward the roof area. This leaning is more so pronounced near the center of the roof in which two facing slopes intersect to form a common valley. The parapet wall of concern is at its highest height at this valley point. There is a ballast box housing attached to the inside face of the wall. It is assumed there is 3/8” plywood sheathing behind both the roof’s metal wall flashing and exterior horizontal siding. There is a visible and pronounced bulge in the exterior painted horizontal siding. This bulge follows the profile and slope of the roofline and continues for the length of the parapet wall.

Conclusion:

The “STARBUCKS COFFEE” sign is not a cause of the walls inward lean. This is more a case of the wall pulling away from the “STARBUCKS COFFEE” letters than the said letters pulling away from the wall. The weight of the ballast box is not an issue as it is estimated to be less than 50 lbs. The strongest factor leading to my below detailed conclusion is that of the bulging front parapet and the “line” this bulge follows. Because the profile of the bulge and the roof line that it follows, which is the beginning or lowest point of the inward leaning, it is believed that this parapet wall is not continually framed for the entire height of the wall. It is probable and likely that this parapet wall is built on top of the roof deck and is therefore lacking in structural integrity. This lack of integrity would allow said wall to move, shift, or lean freely as time permits. I must conclude that poor engineering, design and/or workmanship is the cause of this wall movement along the roof deck plane. The cracks in the rear wall are testament to structure’s settling actions

Prepared on November 12th 2006 by, Greg Krushel, T.Q.
Inter-Provincial Trade Qualification # J-23-24221 (July 1991)
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