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MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Ms. Ann Tatum <br />DATE: June 30, 1995 <br />PAGE: 3 <br />Roof System <br />We agree with the comments made by Mr. Pendleton and are in the process <br />of assisting in the rep:.ur of these waterproofing problems and the associated <br />deterioration of the south wall. <br />Site Cottditiotte <br />Mr. Pendleton has accurately characterized this portion of our report and <br />there is agreement on the observations (or lack thereofl which have been <br />made, <br />Preliminary Conclusions <br />It appeals that we differ with Mr. Pendleton with respect to the diagnosis of <br />the distress which has developed in the east end of the house. He believes <br />that the cracking and differential movements suggest that the structure is <br />expanding outward a~tid that "simple deterioration of the structural adobe <br />walls could account for the observed structural distress and movement." <br />It could but, in our opinion, it doesn't. <br />This is not random distress and deterioration within the Tatum residence. <br />There is a consistent orientation and pattern to the locations of the distress <br />that lead us to surmise that the east and south walls have shifted/rotated <br />downward; i.e., they have subsided. <br />Apparently the underlying premise which prompts Mr. Pendleton to reject <br />the notion that subsidence has occurred is that there is no known foundation <br />distress. In our practice we routinely observe foundation systems that exhibit <br />no significant distress despite pronounced (many inches) heave or settlement. <br />In this particular instance we estimate that the foundation movements are <br />not particularly substantial. As such, the foundation system for the house is <br />simply "going along for the ride." <br />Mr. Pendleton perceives same inconsistencies in our discussion of the <br />fragility of adobe structures. In responding, we need to draw a distinction <br />between the concept of resiliency and the tendency to manifest distress. <br />Adobe structures aze very resilient. They have a great ability to "roll with the <br />punch." They can look like heck and still remain standing. However, <br />because of the lack of tensile capacity and reinforcing within adobe structures, <br />they will quickly and sometimes dramatically exhibit cracking and separation <br />