Santa Cruz County Home & Community Information

As Realtors we come across some very interesting situations, no transaction or home is ever the same, and problem solving skills and creative thinking are a requirement for this profession.  I love it because it is challenging and rewarding, never a dull moment!

I recieved this email from a Home Inspector I use often,  Glenn Stewart with Pacific Coast Inspections (866-570-1222) .  It made me smile so I thought I'd share it with you:

Mystery of the Sagging Bedroom Floor   A bedroom had been added-on to a 55 year old house. I noticed as I walked across the floor that there was a discernable slope towards the center of the room. I carry a large steel ball bearing that I placed on the floor at the wall... As I watched the ball bearing roll slowly across the floor, it began to roll in a spiral pattern at the center of the bedroom... Very odd I thought.  This bedroom had its own exterior crawlspace access. When I first enter a crawlspace, I use my spotlight to ensure that there are no shining eyes looking at me. What greeted my eyes this time was a support post, attached to a concrete pier and footing about 8 feet away... that was floating in space!   As I crawled over to the 'hole' and peered down, I took the photo below. It was an abandoned redwood septic tank where the lid had collapsed... Obviously after the bedroom had been constructed.   The floating post and pier had been placed in the center of the bedroom crawlspace... And now you know why the ball bearing spiraled in the center of the floor due to the hanging weight of the concrete.   As I drove back home after the inspection, I wondered how they would repair this situation... I had visions of a cement truck unloading its load of concrete down a chute centered over the hole.

Jessica Wallace, www.YourSantaCruzRealtor.com

(831) 419-9345