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Difficult Flooring Problems…We Can HELP!
Buckled wood flooring, moldy carpets, peeling sheet flooring, and bubbles in liquid applied floors can all be signs of excessive or trapped moisture below the floor covering. Moisture permeating from concrete floor slabs affects the performance of flooring systems such as resilient and textile floor coverings and coatings, and can cause floor covering system failures […]
Gotta Stay Flexible!
Large buildings and parking garages have expansion joints included in their original design to accommodate natural thermal movement (expansion and contraction), as well as to separate portions of the buildings with varying masses, so that expected swaying, such as with the wind, will not result in damage to the structure. These joints effectively divide the […]
Sunny Thoughts…
Many of our clients have been considering the addition of solar panels to roofs to either generate electricity or make hot water. Several things to consider before adding a solar panel system to your building are: 1. Can the roof support the extra weight of the solar panels as well as resist the associated additional […]
Changes In The Wind
Changes in the wind have been felt lately; not only has the climate been influenced by this phenomenon, but design codes have been influenced as well. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Standard 7 has released their latest 2010 issue, which is slowly being adopted by most local jurisdictions and it is likely that […]
Building Permits & Liability
When someone obtains a building permit to construct, alter or repair a structure, certain obligations become the responsibility of the permit holder. This includes the responsibility to complete the work covered by the permit properly, in compliance with the applicable code provisions, and in a safe manner. If problems occur, the local code authorities look […]
65 and Over!
When water freezes it can exert pressures up to 20,000 pounds per square inch. When it freezes in a closed space (like a plumbing or fire sprinkler line) bad, expensive things happen. Water conductors are usually routed within interior walls where they tend to stay above freezing temperatures, but some lines (especially for sprinklers) are […]
Planning For A Rainy Day
To date there are only eight states that require replacement reserve studies, by law, for homeowners associations, condominiums, and cooperatives. The only one in the Mid-Atlantic region that does so is Virginia, which mandates studies every five years. Maryland requires budgeting of reserves but there is no current statute or regulation stating ”perform a reserve […]
Take It Off…Take It ALL Off!!
It looks good and it feels nice underfoot, but carpeting is one of the worst things you can do to a balcony. Carpet, artificial turf and similar floor coverings tend to hold water, impair drainage and retard evaporation. The longer water remains in contact with concrete, the more opportunity it has to exploit small cracks […]
Lien Basics
If you default on payment to a contractor for work performed, there are things he can do to compel payment, one of which is to place a lien against your property. The particulars (time limitations, notification requirements, etc.) are governed by statute and vary from state to state, but one constant is that a lien […]
Curing Concrete In The Cold
Placing concrete in cold weather is not impossible. Typically in the cold, the biggest concern is with excessive moisture, which can cause bleeding water to surface. Once this occurs, the finish of the concrete will have compromised strength and will likely suffer from freeze-thaw damage. If bleed water is evident, it should be skimmed off […]
Fireplace and Chimney Maintenance
Incomplete combustion of wood in fireplaces creates a buildup of flammable oils (creosote) in chimney flues, which can contribute to chimney or building fires. Only dry, seasoned wood (preferably hardwood) should be burned in fireplaces. Green and/or water saturated wood burns at a lower temperature and less completely than dry, seasoned wood and poses a […]
Mother Nature…Round Two!!
With Hurricane Irene scheduled to make her appearance in our area late Saturday, we should make plans to protect our properties from the expected rains, and especially the high winds. Make sure that all lawn furniture, exterior loose items, etc. are brought inside or properly stowed. Also make sure drains, gutters, downspouts, etc. are clear […]