Category Archives: Water Sources

A Lifted (Heaved) Basement Floor Slab

Posted by in Basements, Concrete, The Unusual, Water Sources, Weather Events | August 08, 2016

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 →

Evidence of a Roof Leak

Posted by in Roof, Water Sources | April 11, 2016

What caused damage to the drywall on this ceiling (Figure 1)? The damage is not due to a one time leakage.  It is just too severe for a one time ice dam. Climbing into the attic above the kitchen we… Read More →

How Important is Wall Flashing?

Posted by in Masonry, Water Sources | April 04, 2016

Take a look for yourself. I spotted these water and dirt stains on the face of a brick wall.  The water and dirt stains are directly under the joint of the metal wall cap. The lap on the metal cap… Read More →

What Can We Tell from This Photo? (Case Study 10)

Posted by in Basements, Simple Forensic Methods, Water Sources | August 10, 2015

This photo was taken at the base of a basement wall. We note the following: The moisture staining on the wood stud and the cardboard box indicate that there has been water infiltration. The multiple rings of the moisture staining… Read More →

A Roofer’s Nightmare – Part 2

Posted by in Buying/Maintaining a Home, Roof, Shingles, Water Sources | June 08, 2015

Occasionally, we get to see a roof that causes us to say, “Yikes!” or some other such exclamation.  This week we have such a roof. Here, a large area of roof drains down into a small gutter and then onto… Read More →

Inadequate Roof Flashing

Posted by in Buying/Maintaining a Home, Construction & Shortcuts, Roof, Shingles, Water Sources | April 27, 2015

We are often contacted to evaluate the source of moisture or water that is causing apparent mold growth, decay, moisture staining, or another type of water damage.  Sometimes the cause of the moisture or water source is a little easier… Read More →

Do Leaf Guards Have an Effect on Icicles?

Posted by in Roof, Water Sources, Winter Concerns | April 13, 2015

Many, many years ago my father-in-law asked me about any detrimental effects of leaf guards on gutters.  Being over eighty he had decided that it was time to stop climbing a ladder to clean his gutters. I told him that… Read More →

Please, Mr. or Ms. Architect, No More Roof Geometry Like This

Posted by in Roof, The Unusual, Water Sources | November 17, 2014

I don’t know how many times we have been contacted to evaluate interior water damage (Figure NMRG-1) that was a result of poor roof geometry. Many times examination of the roof and/or the siding on the exterior reveals the obvious… Read More →