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Hollander Residence <br />• Orono,MN <br /> 4.0 SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION <br /> The investigation of the Hollander residence consisted of a visual observation made during a <br /> single walk-through inspection on September 11, 2002. Finishes, stored materials andlor debris <br /> covered all of the structural components except the basemendfoundation walls, stairs, and the <br /> underside of the main floor framing. No drawings of the building were available. <br /> 5.0 DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS <br /> The general condition of the building was extremely poor, with pervasive evidence of severe <br /> neglect over an extended period of time. Sanitary, health and minor maintenance-related items <br /> are not discussed here, except as they relate to the effects on the structural conditions. <br /> During the course of the inspection several structural deficiencies were observed, some of which <br /> are considered to be potentially hazardous to life safety if not remedied. The major de�ciencies <br /> related to the structure are described below, with those that are considered to be potentially <br /> hazardous noted. Re-occupancy of the building should not be permitted until those items that are <br /> considered to be hazardous are mitigated. <br /> 1. Poor site drainage around the exterior has directed water toward the house, rather than <br /> away from it. In addition, the surrounding grade is high enough that it is in contact with <br /> the wood lap siding in many places, absorbing and wicking moisture into contact with the <br /> wood framing members behind it. This moisture has caused some decay and loss of <br /> strength in the wall and main floor wood framing members. <br /> 2. The concrete portion (up to window sill height) of the front porch exterior walls has <br /> deteriorated badly and has large cracks through the wall. The wall was observed to be <br /> unreinforced and the concrete soft and friable. See attached Photo No. 2. Because this <br /> wall supports the roof framing above, this condition is considered to be hazazdous. <br /> 3. Main floor framing was observed to slope noticeably from the perimeter inwards, due <br /> either to foundation settlements or to framing deflections. Inspection from below <br /> revealed that some log floor joists are decayed at the perimeter wall bearings, that some <br /> are cracked and split near midspan, and that others are simply terminated with no support <br /> -3- <br />