Can I Convert My Basement into a Legal Bedroom?
Before you can consider that extra room in the basement as a legal bedroom, several requirements of the 2015 International Residential Code and NFPA 101 need to be met. Start… Read More »
Category: Condominiums
Rooftop Patio Leak
This rooftop patio had been leaking for years. It had a concrete deck surfaced with DEX-O-TEX, which was a textured “rubber” membrane type product. The DEX-O-TEX and miscellaneous patches were… Read More »
Evidence of a Sagging Floor
A common concern we receive from owners of older homes is a sagging/sinking floor. Sagging floors can occur for several reasons and might be scary for homeowners, but a qualified… Read More »
Loads on a Building
Structural engineers design buildings to withstand loads of all types. The building’s frame must be designed to withstand a combination of all those loads with some being more present than… Read More »
Construction Administration in Quechee, VT
Team Engineering represents a condominium community on an exciting project while their contractor replaces all the siding, doors, windows, and exterior decks on their buildings. The service is called Construction… Read More »
Steel Corrosion from Vehicles
Take a look at this metal deck and open web steel joist floor structure. As you can see, the metal deck and the open web steel joists are severely corroded. If… Read More »
Load Bearing Walls Beat LVL Beams
We have had the pleasure of working with Chuck Wood of Colonial Builders recently. He is leading spectacular renovations of a few old buildings in Concord. Each time I visit… Read More »
Interlocking Concrete Block Retaining Walls
Whether you are looking for a lower cost retaining wall to enhance your yard or to support your driveway, the Interlocking Concrete Block (ICB) (a.k.a. segmental concrete block) retaining wall… Read More »
Is This Beam Wood or Steel? Or both?
Structural steel is becoming more common in homes, as structural steel gets stronger and lighters and its cost per pound comes closer to alternatives like engineered lumber. The challenge with… Read More »
Garage Fire Separation
Figure 1. Rough Aftermath of a Garage Fire Attached garages are a common feature in residential homes. They provide an easy roofed path for lugging groceries straight from your car… Read More »