Author Archives: Jerry Prugar

Some Comments Regarding Soffit (or Overhang) Vents

Posted by in Attic Ventilation | July 21, 2014

Soffit (or overhang) vents provide free vent area for cooler or drier air to enter into the attic and replace the hotter and/or damper air that vents out through the upper vents comprised commonly of a power vent, ridge vents,… Read More →

Did You Know? (Lumber)

Posted by in Wood | July 14, 2014

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 →

Threshold Damage to Garage Doors Exposed to Explosion or Excessive Winds

Posted by in Explosion Damage, Wind Damage | July 07, 2014

An evaluation of building damage resulting from excessive air pressures generated by a nearby explosion or generated by excessive winds may include examination and evaluation of the garage door, especially if the garage door faces toward the site of the… Read More →

Happy 4th of July !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by in Commemoration/Celebration | June 29, 2014

Happy 4th of July! the wonderful summer holiday when we celebrate our forefathers declaration of freedom from the tyranny of King George III.  Their statement was a bold one.  They knew that they could no longer live under the tyranny… Read More →

Time to Check Those Roofs for Debris

Posted by in Buying/Maintaining a Home, Roof | June 23, 2014

Even though it is already well into June 2014 we are still finding roofs with accumulations of debris from last fall and winter.  Come on, my friends, it is time to get those valleys and gutters cleaned of debris!  Roofs… Read More →

Unbalanced Backfill & A Garage Foundation Wall

Posted by in Construction & Shortcuts, Foundations, Masonry, Soil Issues | June 16, 2014

It is not uncommon for a garage floor slab to be raised above the original grade, especially where the grade around the garage slopes down from front to back or side to side.  This hillside or sloped grade setting will… Read More →

Power Washing Shingles?

Posted by in Apparent Mold/Biological Growth, Buying/Maintaining a Home, Roof, Shingles | June 07, 2014

Looking to high pressure wash (power wash) all that dirt, discoloration, mold growth, lichens, etc. off your shingles?  Have you seen advertisements in various local papers regarding high pressure washing shingles?  Here are a few observations. We have the experience… Read More →

Inadvertent Reduction in Attic Ventilation

Posted by in Apparent Mold/Biological Growth, Attic Ventilation, Roof, Water Sources, Winter Concerns, Wood | May 30, 2014

We are often called to evaluate the source of moisture causing mold growth, water damage or wetting of building components in an attic.  These investigations commonly conclude with pointing out a roof or siding leak from a breach in the… Read More →