If you think your home is in need of repairs, just wait until you see these structural disasters. The 35 scary photos that this Los Angeles engineering firm has taken will blow your mind.
From water leaks that washed away the foundation to piles of stones holding up entire homes, it’s a miracle that these structures are still standing.
We know we wouldn’t be caught living in any of these death traps! While some people have a higher risk tolerance than others, it’s a brave few who manage to survive in these crazy habitations and live to tell about it.
1. Rocks & Dust
The only things supporting this home are a couple of piles of rocks and dust. It looks like it’s only a matter of time now. Eventually, it’s going to come tumbling down.
Source:
AlphaStructural
2. Leaning Wall
Here we have a 14-foot masonry wall that is propped up by an old board. It’s leaning precariously at an angle. However, the board will definitely hold it, we’re sure of it!
Source:
AlphaStructural
3. Dissolving Concrete
This one is a house located along the coast in Malibu, California. The ocean water has slowly made its way around the concrete blocks that support the home, whittling at the surface of them. The salt is a powerful substance.
Source:
AlphaStructural
4. Collapsed Fence
There used to be a big wooden fence alongside this home. It was holding the landscaping up. However, the weight was too much for the fence to take, and eventually, it totally split apart.
Source:
AlphaStructural
5. Hillside Deck
A couple of the concrete piles supporting this outdoor deck are beginning to lean down the hillside. It’s basically happening in slow motion. It might not collapse today or tomorrow, but eventually, it’s going to give.
Source:
AlphaStructural
6. Split Kitchen
When a giant crack runs right through the kitchen of the home, it’s not a good sign. There is likely no way of fixing this one. They are just going to have to start from scratch.
Source:
AlphaStructural
7. Rocky Views
Windows are typically used to let air in from the outside. However, this basement window leads to a random subterranean cave. It’s a design plan that makes no logical sense.
Source:
AlphaStructural
8. Missing Support
Once they removed the stucco to repair the support beam at this apartment complex, the engineers realized something startling. There was no beam! Underneath the stucco, it had already completely rotted away.
Source:
AlphaStructural
9. Cracked Wall
A big crack is the last thing that you want to see on a retaining wall. This one has reached a critical level. It is in desperate need of some repair work, sooner rather than later.
Source:
AlphaStructural
10. Car Wreck Aftermath
Is it just us or does this house appear to be folding in on itself? A few days ago, the house was hit by a car, and now, something really bad is happening. It is suspiciously dipping down in the middle.
Source:
AlphaStructural
11. Creeping Hill
Over time, the hillside has been creeping downwards. The concrete piles have been moving along with them. It looks like one big rainstorm could wash them right away.
Source:
AlphaStructural
12. Shifting Bricks
When the bricks of this foundation were first laid, we imagine that they looked just fine. However, several decades later and things are not looking good anymore. Every single one of them has moved around!
Source:
AlphaStructural
13. Water Damage
When water gets into the wall, terrible things can happen. As you can see from this photo, it’s a bad situation. The wall is down to the rebar in some spots.
Source:
AlphaStructural
14. Sinking Steps
These concrete steps are attached to the side of the home or at least they used to be. Now, they are slowly sinking into the ground. One side is almost a foot lower than the other.
Source:
AlphaStructural
15. Sketchy Wall
There is a lot of heavy soil contained on the other side of that brick wall. Really, we wouldn’t trust it. One big rainstorm and things could get crazy very quickly.
Source:
AlphaStructural
16. Surprise Plants
Adding a couple of house plants in your home can really help with the ambiance. However, this is a little bit ridiculous. If there are cracks in the bases of the walls that are big enough for plants to grow, how safe are those walls really?
Source:
AlphaStructural
17. Sliding Slab
This garage was built on top of a concrete slab footing. However, now that the stucco is crumbling off, it’s become apparent that there are some major issues taking place. The slab is inching away from the garage.
Source:
AlphaStructural
18. Crawlspace Problems
When moisture started showing up in the crawlspace, the homeowners didn’t know what to do. They covered it with sand, soil, and other materials. They even cut a hole in it so they could access the other side. Now, it’s all one giant mess.
Source:
AlphaStructural
19. Location Choice
The main problem with this home is that they built it on the side of a hill. Really, we wouldn’t even call it a hill. It’s more like a dirt mound, barely held together by a few roots.
20. Collapsing Stairs
Both the stairs and the retaining wall on this hillside have seen better days. At this point, they aren’t even functional. Walking anywhere near there would be a huge health hazard.
Source:
AlphaStructural
21. Weak Foundation
The only good thing here is that the wood is still solid. It’s not rotting and looks pretty decent. Although, the pile of dirt and rocks underneath it, not so much…
Source:
AlphaStructural
22. Last Support
A lot of rocks and other materials have fallen around this foundation, but don’t worry. There is still one post standing. It can do the work all by itself, no problem!
Source:
AlphaStructural
23. Nail Placement
When nailing the floorboards in, it helps if you have everything lined up correctly. This person thought that they were doing a good job. However, they missed the mark dozens of times in a row.
Source:
AlphaStructural
24. Up For Sale
This home has been vacant and on the market for a while now. Would you want to live in it? We know that we wouldn’t feel safe there.
Source:
AlphaStructural
25. Decaying Fiberboard
Medium density fiberboard is a great material, however, not when it comes to the foundation of the home. It is not made for anything structural. If you use it that way, you will eventually have to face some massive consequences.
Source:
AlphaStructural
26. Beach House
There was zero soil underneath the foundation of this home in Santa Monica. It was all a bunch of sand. As you can see, a house built on sand is a house that is not going to stand.
Source:
AlphaStructural
27. Built On Rubble
Technically, this is a concrete retaining wall, but it looks more like a pile of rubble to us. The slabs have tons of cracks and are getting more in them every day.
Source:
AlphaStructural
28. Balancing Act
There is no explanation necessary for this one. It’s just a home on a hill — a hill that you do not want to live on. It’s a giant disaster that’s already in progress.
Source:
AlphaStructural
29. Eroding Soil
For now, the tarp is holding up the dirt around this home. How long is that going to last though? There is a reason that a quick fix with a tarp is not a recommended strategy.
Source:
AlphaStructural
30. Out Of Alignment
No one ever bothered to ask why the door wasn’t lining up properly in this home. It’s not a good sign of things to come. That much we are certain of.
Source:
AlphaStructural
31. Boat House
There is a reason that people don’t typically build homes shaped like boats. This image makes it really clear why. Without the water around, supporting boats on land isn’t exactly easy to do.
Source:
AlphaStructural
32. Deck Disaster
Believe it or not, there used to be a deck here. It wasn’t built by the best carpenters in the world. It’s obvious that they didn’t really think things through in their construction plans.
Source:
AlphaStructural
33. Nature Vs. Fence
The trees are proving to be too much for this fence. They want to grow big and tall. No silly fence is going to stop them from accomplishing their dream.
Source:
AlphaStructural
34. Chain Support
The only thing keeping this retaining wall from falling down is a metal chain. It’s a simple fix, but it does the trick. It’s really putting that chain to the test!
Source:
AlphaStructural
35. Stacking Blocks
When they set up this foundation, it was like they were playing Jenga. All of the blocks are carefully balanced on top of each other. Sure, there are some metal braces, but how much can those do really?
Source:
AlphaStructural
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