The relatively uniform spacing of the missing tabs within the fields of the roof slopes, the almost identical pattern of the fractures and cracking of the tabs, and the presence of this pattern on multiple slopes facing multiple cardinal directions… Read More
Author Archives: Jerry Prugar
Buckling, Sliding, and Thermal Tearing of Shingle Strips
In the featured photo the shingles exhibit buckling at the ends of the shingle strips. This buckling is similar to the buckling of a concrete roadway in the summer. The shingles have expanded from excessive heat or swelled from excessive… Read More
Case Study: Hand Torn Shingles
The dimensional shingles on the roof exhibited many torn and dislodged shingle strips (see featured photo). The shingle strips were well sealed and when they were lifted, the underside of the mat adhered to the underlying shingle (Figure 1). In… Read More
Thoughts for this Labor Day (2016)
Two observations and a promise regarding labor on this Labor Day. Observation #1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. (Psa… Read More
Case Study: A Sagging Roof
The roof of this barn exhibits a sag (featured photo). The roof is framed with rafters (Figure 1). The rafter ties are set very high to allow clearance for interior activities; however, this prevents the ties from adequately restraining the… Read More
The Need for Membrane Flashing Under a Threshold
Whether a manufactured stone with multiple joints or a solid board is used under the threshold of a door (featured photo), a flexible membrane flashing is necessary to stop the infiltration of runoff. On the inside, runoff infiltration through a… Read More
Lightning Damage
A large tree was struck by lightning (Figure 1). The home owner claimed interior damage to drywall. Although the tree was not adjacent to the dwelling it was very large and old. The roots probably extended to nearthe dwelling and there were… Read More
A Lifted (Heaved) Basement Floor Slab
What would cause a concrete basement floor slab to lift in this fashion? The basement floor slab was lifted up about eight inches or so. The area of floor slab over the sanitary sewer lines was lifted more than the… Read More