News & Resources

The Importance of Allowing Room for Expansion and Contraction

Posted by in Case Studies, Structural Principles | September 10, 2018

While waiting at an exit on I-71 for a traffic light to change, I noticed a large vertical split in one of the posts for the guardrail (see feature photo).  Being of the forensic persuasion, I gave a quick thought… Read More →

Happy Labor Day (2018)

Posted by in Commemoration/Celebration | August 27, 2018

Two thoughts about work from the Bible for this Labor Day:   Whatsoever thy hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, where you go. (Ecc… Read More →

What Can We Tell from This Photo? (Case Study 17)

Posted by in Impact Damage, Simple Forensic Methods | August 13, 2018

What can we tell from this photograph? This photograph was taken at the base of a wall in a hallway. The vertical and horizontal cracking exhibit sharp edges and relatively clean fracture surfaces indicating that they occurred recently. The horizontal… Read More →

What Happens When… A Roof Leak is Unseen or Ignored?

Posted by in Buying/Maintaining a Home, The Unusual, What happens when ...? | July 30, 2018

The above condition is not unusual for an industrial facility that has been expanded multiple times.  A low roof area is surrounded by higher roofs and the roof runoff is directed to a trough area along one of the walls. … Read More →

What Does a Landslide Look Like? (Revisited)

Posted by in Buying/Maintaining a Home, Foundations, Soil Issues | July 16, 2018

A wood deck set at the crest of the hill overlooking a wooded valley with a river.  Mornings drinking a flavored latte, afternoons sipping a lemonade, or evenings toasting friends with the latest creation of Great Lakes Brewery while gazing… Read More →

Happy Independence Day, America!!!!!! – July 4, 2018

Posted by in Commemoration/Celebration | July 02, 2018

Thoughts on this 242th Anniversary 242 years ago our forefathers made a bold declaration knowing that they were risking security, peace, property, and possibly even their own lives in the pursuit of being a free people.  We salute them for… Read More →

A Pattern of Condensation in an Attic

Posted by in Attic Ventilation, Buying/Maintaining a Home, Winter Concerns | June 18, 2018

The feature photograph shows a view of the ridge in an attic.  Note the discoloration and biological growth on both slopes.  Notice that the discoloration is worse on the slope left of the ridge than on the slope right of… Read More →

Does Ventilation Really Provide a Benefit in an Attic?

Posted by in Apparent Mold/Biological Growth, Attic Ventilation, Buying/Maintaining a Home, Winter Concerns | June 04, 2018

The clear surface on the underside of the roof deck around the three bathroom vent pipes shows that even a little bit of inadvertent air flow is capable of reducing condensation and the risk of apparent mold/biological growth. It doesn’t… Read More →