AP - 2022-015 Existing Garage Structure - Memo
670 Main Street
Reading, MA 01867
781 779 1330
March 9, 2022
Peter Makrauer
LDa Architecture & Interiors, LLP
222 Third Street, Suite 3212, Cambridge, MA
919 Main Street, Osterville, MA
RE: Pinto Residence- Evaluation/Recommendation of the existing garage foundation and
wood framing
Dear Peter,
This letter is intended to clarify Webb Structural Services (WSS) position relating to the
condition of the existing garage foundation and wood framing at the Pinto Residence.
WSS understands the foundation of the garage is constructed of unreinforced 8-inch cinder block
support a poor conditioned wood framed wall, ceiling, and roof with identified deficiencies.
The foundation does not extend below grade to the code-required 4 feet for frost protection.
There is no footing; The 8-inch block rests directly on the underlying material.
The cinder block cells are not grouted or reinforced, eliminating the ability to adequately
anchor the building to the foundation.
Several areas of block are deteriorating, compromising the load-carrying ability of the foundation.
The foundation wall at the rear of the garage is “bulging” inward due to the lateral earth pressure.
The roof and ceiling are framed with 2x6s spaced at 24 inches on center. This configuration is
very undersized to today’s building standards. The entire frame will require reinforcement.
The “bulging” foundation has distorted the wood framing to an extent beyond recovery,
requiring complete replacement of several areas of the wall framing.
Given this information, WSS believes the existing foundation and wood framing is not suitable
to be reused as part of the renovated garage structure. WSS requests that the foundation and
wood framing be completely removed and replaced with a new cast-in-place foundation wall and
wood framed structure designed following the current Building Code requirements.
I hope this adequately clarifies our professional opinion of the existing garage foundation.
Please feel free to contact me with further questions if necessary.
Best Regards,
Dan Webb P.E.
670 Main Street
Reading, MA 01867
(O) 781-779-1330 ext. 101
03/09/2022