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EARTHQUAKE!!
If you are reading this, chances are that you felt the ground rumbling from the largest earthquake that ever rocked the Mid Atlantic region and you are wondering if your house or building could have been damaged. Earthquakes move buildings in a vertical and horizontal motion, which can exert higher loads (and in a different […]
X-Ray Vision vs GPR
We haven’t quite developed Superman-grade X-ray vision, but we’re getting close. Some would argue too close, given the invasive capabilities of equipment used for airport body scans; but that’s fodder for other blogs. Radiography (erroneously referred to as X-ray) examination used to be the only reliable way of determining the presence and depth of reinforcing […]
Staying Connected
Structural welding is a very technical craft that must be performed by welders that have been qualified by the American Welding Society. Welds must be properly sized and applied, to safely carry the loads that are to be supported. Just as with all construction trades, welds must be inspected to make sure that they are […]
All Decked Out!!
We are often asked if a building can have a rooftop deck added. These areas are a nice addition to a building and provide a place to view the fireworks, socialize and relax. Many things must be considered when planning the new outdoor space. Typically, roof structures are designed to support snow loads and the […]
That Building Jumped In Front of Me!
Vehicles crash into buildings more often that you might think. We usually get called to inspect the resulting structural damage a couple of times a year. Usually, the local authorities condemn the building until a structural engineer makes an inspection and either provides repair details (and the repairs are made) or a letter stating that […]
Limitations for Balconies
We are often asked about weight limitations for balconies, particularly with regard to the allowable sizes and weights of plants that may be put on the balconies. The simple answer is that it depends on exactly how the balcony was designed and built. In general, plants that are placed on balconies should not be […]
A Shady Situation!
When making EIFS repairs, you may need to paint the wall to blend the new and old top coat colors and hide the repairs. It is usually not too difficult to make the new patch texture match that on the existing wall. Lighter top coat colors can become darker over time due to dirt accumulation […]
WHAT IS TOXIC OR BLACK MOLD, AND HOW DOES IT OCCUR?
Various types of mold are always present in the air we breathe, inside the home/office and outside. There are very few documented cases where toxic molds (that contain certain mycotoxins) have been linked to unique or rare health problems. Strachybotrys is a greenish-black mold that has been identified as a potential health risk, especially for those […]
Reading the Signs
Signs are everywhere. Often we just need to spend the time to look for them. Buildings sometimes have these signs that tell us problems (or at least potential problems) exist. The pictures in this particular blog posting show one example of a sign. The efflorescence or white staining, or as this picture shows – white […]
Superior Sealants!
Modern sealants (caulks) are vastly superior to those available in years past. They exhibit better flexibility and do so for longer periods of time. As good as the newer products are, they still must be properly applied if they’re to perform as intended. As a general rule, sealant joints should be about half as deep […]
Chlorine Does NOT Play Nice with Others.
Remember to never store other chemicals (cleaning products, solvents, fertilizers, deicing agents, etc) in pool filter or pump rooms. The most widely used pool chemical is chlorine and it does not play well with others (particularly ammonia compounds). Very bad things can happen if they should mix, including creation of chlorine gas and other highly toxic […]
Crack Monitors
Cracks in brick walls are common. Figuring out whether or not they are serious and why they are happening can be challenging. Crack monitors can be installed to help document which way the wall is moving and how fast. We recommend that the monitors be left in place for at least a year, or until […]