Basement and Swimming Pool Removal – No Answers from Officials.

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(Editor’s note: at the Townhall meetings, questions about basements have been skipped. Maybe officials don’t know the answers, but it is important to owners. One reader sent the following information in the comment section of CTN. This editor cannot vouch for the accuracy, but at least artificial intelligence had answers. CTN is running the comment, so at the very least enough people can put pressure on officials to start supplying  answers.)

Owners of homes with basement, such as this one in the Huntington Palisades want to know if the Army Corps of Engineers will remove them and is it necessary.

The reader wrote:

The pool and basement issue is quite important yet it seems that it is being ignored. Basement removal affects not only the homeowner who has to remove a basement it also affects neighbors on either side of the basement. Also, if the cost of basement removal is high, those with “burned out” houses and basements may be in no hurry to clean-up/remove their basements.

During Mayor Bass’s “virtual town hall” last night [January 28] -Steve Soboroff commented that house foundations should be removed (he also said the cost of rebuilding could be $1,000/square foot, insurance companies will short change policyholders and that it made sense to hire an attorney to deal with the insurance companies.)

– Sue Pascoe (https://www.circlingthenews.com/palisadians-need-answers-not-more-town-hall-meetings/) noted: “Several residents wanted to know about basements and foundations. One asked, ‘I want to grant the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) to clean up the debris on my property, but I have to check ‘No’ to the removal of the foundation and basement walls because those walls provide lateral support to my neighbors’ property. I need to know how much FEMA is going to request from my insurance because I will also need the funds to demo those basement walls prior to rebuilding. How can we coordinate so we know how much it’s going to cost for debris removal?

“Another resident asked, ‘How will basements be handled by ACE? . . .What about basements?’ The question was not answered.

“The town hall largely (intentionally?) ignored the issue of what to do with pools and basements following a wildfire.”

The reader pointed out that “Since human expert opinion seems to be in short supply, here is the ‘expert’ opinion of an AI chatbot”

QUESTION: Following a wildfire that completely destroys a 6,000 square foot house (a 2,000-square foot basement, a 2,000-square-foot ground floor and a 2,000-square-foot upper floor; there is also an in-ground swimming pool) in which the debris falls into the basement is it necessary to:

1) remove the house’s foundation

2) remove the house’s swimming pool, and

3) remove the house’s basement

ANSWER:

Following a wildfire that completely destroys a house, including its basement and surrounding structures like a swimming pool, the necessary steps for debris removal and site preparation depend on several factors. Here’s an analysis of whether it is necessary to remove the house’s foundation, swimming pool, and basement:

1) Foundation Removal

In most cases, the foundation of a fire-destroyed house must be removed. Extreme heat from wildfires often compromises the structural integrity of concrete foundations, rendering them unsafe or impractical for reuse. Key reasons include: Damage to embedded plumbing pipes and electrical conduits, which are typically destroyed in fires. Loss of structural strength in concrete due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Potential contamination of the soil beneath the foundation by hazardous materials released during the fire. Local jurisdictions often require foundations to be removed as part of wildfire debris removal programs. However, exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis if a structural engineer certifies the foundation’s safety and compliance with building codes197.

2) Swimming Pool Removal

The removal of an in-ground swimming pool is generally not mandatory after a wildfire unless it has sustained significant structural damage or poses safety hazards. Pools may be contaminated with ash, debris, or toxic chemicals, but these issues can often be addressed through cleaning, draining, and refilling rather than demolition. Structural components like the shell and decking should be inspected for damage before deciding on removal. If the pool is heavily damaged or no longer desired, complete removal involves breaking down and hauling away all materials (e.g., concrete, steel) to allow unrestricted future use of the area. This is more thorough but also costly.

3) Basement Removal

Basements in fire-destroyed homes are typically required to be removed. This is because: The debris from the collapsed structure often contaminates the basement. Soil testing and cleanup are necessary to remove hazardous materials like heavy metals or chemicals that may have seeped into the ground. Structural integrity is usually compromised, making it unsafe for future use. Standard wildfire recovery protocols often mandate removing basements entirely as part of debris removal efforts. Contractors may also need to stabilize surrounding soil by cutting slopes back to prevent erosion during reconstruction.

Conclusion:

Foundation: Likely needs removal due to structural compromise and contamination risks.

Swimming Pool: Removal is not always necessary; cleaning and repairs may suffice unless there is significant damage.

Basement: Typically requires removal due to contamination and safety concerns.

Consulting with licensed professionals (e.g., structural engineers) and adhering to local regulations are crucial steps in determining specific actions for each component.

Do swimming pools need to be removed? Maybe, maybe not depending on the structural safety and damage. This pool is on land off Chautauqua.

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