While thankfully not common, below-grade fire riser plumbing failures can cause significant damages to buildings. These failures are characterized by high-pressure water leakage, often resulting in significant amounts of moisture…
Assessments for wind damage to a building often include evaluation of the roofing. Tile roofing is a common roof type and is especially a favorite in Florida due to its…
Hurricanes are known for their capability to produce widespread devastation resulting from extreme environmental forces. Damage from hurricane force winds is often memorialized, and sometimes sensationalized, during post-storm media coverage….
A building façade is defined as the principal external wall or face of a building. For some buildings with expected service lives of 100+ years, such as high-rise buildings and…
Conventional stucco (also known as “Portland cement plaster”) is a widely-used material consisting of a combination of Portland cement materials, aggregate, and water. Stucco is a durable, fire-resistant material that…
Many are familiar with the forceful power of cyclonic winds during hurricanes and tornadoes, due to their potential to cause newsworthy catastrophic damage. Straight-line winds are much more common than…
With summer on the way and temperatures rising, many people will be looking to spend some time poolside. Pools can be fun and relaxing, and offer a respite from the…
Wood is one of the most common building materials, often used for structural framing and wall sheathing. Because wood is a natural, organic material, it is susceptible to deterioration when…
As cooler weather moves out, springtime storms begin moving in. These storms can contain hail, strong winds, and even tornadoes. Although tornado season typically peaks in May or June, it…
Wood floors are beautiful and are often an architectural element of interior space design. They can cause a space to feel clean and modern, or they can lend the feel…
