After a succession of heavy snowfalls, we are often asked the question, “How much snow can a roof support?” or more specifically, “How much snow can MY roof support?” and “Should I shovel the snow off my roof?” Most who… Read More
Category Archives: Wood
Sawing Off the Limb You Are Standing On
Many of us have heard the expression, “You are sawing off the limb you are standing on.” Often someone will say this during a friendly debate when the other debater is undermining his own argument by discrediting his own evidence.… Read More
Garage Whisperer
We are often contacted to evaluate “Why is the garage leaning?” and “When did the lean occur?” (See the featured photo). With regard to the latter question, fortunately we have super listening powers. That is, we are able to hear… Read More
Humps and Sags in a Roof Framed with Sawn Lumber
We are sometimes contacted to evaluate humps and/or sags in roof slopes, as shown in the featured photo and Figures HS-1. Most often we are asked to evaluate residential roofs which are commonly framed with 2×6 or 2×8 rafters. … Read More
Some Evidences of Recent Movement
We are often called in to evaluate as to whether some particular damage is old or new, that is, did it occur recently as reported or has it been present and possibly progressing for years. As experienced forensic engineers we… Read More
Can Ventilation Really Reduce Condensation and Mold Growth in an Attic?
Most in the construction industry know that the attics of wood framed structures require adequate ventilation to reduce the risk of the condensation of excessive airborne moisture and the resulting mold growth. But, how much does ventilation reduce condensation and… Read More
Did You Know? (Lumber)
Some Interesting Effects of Moisture on Lumber Sawn Lumber Raising the moisture content in sawn lumber from normal use conditions (moisture content < 15%) to fully saturated decreases the stiffness about 25%, thus increasing deflection immediately by 33%. Creep is… Read More