In a recent case, this expert was retained by an attorney who was representing a single divorced mom with a 14-year-old son. She called the arrotney because her townhouse had two walls that had become detached at the rear corner of her home and were in danger of falling off their foundation.

The corner in question was at the rear wall of her unit, which was an extended side wall at the end of the row of townhouses. This wall projected beyond the adjacent structure and was a two-story bearing wall. This wall, along with the rear wall of her home, had moved outward approximately 3 inches each due to the strong suction generated during a high-wind event and were now in imminent danger of collapse. These walls were on the leeward side of the building at the corner where the suction pressure is the highest. There was a 2½-inch gap between the two walls, the side and rear walls. The homeowner’s son discovered the gap and pointed out to her that one could look outside through the opening. She reported the problem to the Home Owners Association (HOA) as soon as it occurred. They turned it over to their attorney to investigate.