Architectural Scavenger Hunt

by David Robinson

Since the “Stay at Home” order was issued for Maryland roughly two weeks ago, many residents have taken up walking. In fact, I've never seen as many people outside walking in my neighborhood as I have over the last ten days- and it's not just individuals taking in the fresh air and exercise, it's entire families and their pets! I can't get enough of all of the canines, but unfortunately, they can't be petted. If you are walking, treasure hunts are the latest craze, including teddy bear hunts, where people are placing teddy bears in windows, trees, porches and places where you wouldn't expect to see them.

Solving the Mystery of Chamfered Floor Joist, Or, What is Under that Floor or Behind that Wall?

Solving the Mystery of Chamfered Floor Joists, Or, What is Under that Floor or Behind that Wall?

If you live in an older home, (and we'll just say built sometime between the 1880's and the 1960's), and you've never lived through a bathroom renovation, what's behind those walls and under the floor might come as a bit of a surprise. Often, these hollow spaces beneath the floorboards might be mini-time capsules containing newspapers from the 1920's, or whiskey bottles from the 1930's. Ever wonder why walls aren't square and plumb in an old house? Empty whiskey bottles stuck in the wall might be a clue. There is both the myth and reality of old houses that exists in every old house neighborhood.

How to Boost Your Home’s Market Value Before You Put Up for Sale

by Suzie Wilson

Few things can be as nerve-wracking as when you are trying to sell your home. You want to be able to

sell your home quickly and for more than you got it for, but navigating this world can be intimidating and

confusing. Thankfully, this process doesn’t have to be fraught with anxiety.

A Guide to Hiring a Contractor for Your Project

When it comes time to work on your home, the first step towards getting the greatest value for your money is choosing the right company. In most cases, home owners are handing over their most important asset to a company with the intent of making significant changes or alterations. Good contractors take the pressure off and alleviate some of the worry. Professional contractors should always add value to your home and not leave customers with shoddy workmanship, half completed jobs, or a project that was not what was agreed upon in the contract. Here's a guide to choosing not just any professional, but the right professional.

Slate roofing is a learned craft. As opposed to using electric tools to mindlessly attach mass produced roofing shingles, there is very little in the way of gas or electric power need for slate roofing. Cranes, trains and saws maybe, but angle grinders? Really?  Once the big slabs of slate come out of the ground, individual slates are hand split from a larger block. They are then typically punched using an iron jig and stacked by hand. When it comes to installation, its all done by hand, cutting, punching, nailing and layout. Not much is needed in the way of tools. A slater's stake, slate hammer, a story stick, some nails and paper (and a modicum of skill) and one could slate just about anything. 

This video is not unique. There is ample evidence out there of people with just enough knowledge to seem like they know what they are doing, and yet their lack of skill or understanding is quickly unmasked. I am all for encouraging people to take up a craft, but at least read a book or ask an old timer how it's done and go practice on a barn or shed. 

Deck Collapse Demonstration

Although somewhat rare, deck collapses are dramatic and can be deadly.  Between the years 2000 and 2006 there were at least 179 deck collapses resulting in thirty-three deaths and 1,122 injuries. (See Report)

Most of the deck failures occur where the deck is attached to the home similar to the demonstration below. A ledger board is attached to the home, and if this is done improperly, the entire deck can collapse with horrifying results. Most of these failures occur where the deck is occupied.  Professionally constructed decks where a permit was pulled are less likely to collapse than decks built by a homeowner where no permitting was done.

If you have a deck that is 8' or more above grade, do an annual inspection.
1. Look for rusted fasteners.
2. Look for nails or screws that have pulled loose.
3. Check for loose or wobbly railings.
4. Inspect for large checks or splits in main supports.
5. Make sure the ledger board was lag bolted or bolted using carriage bolts to the house and a piece of flashing installed at the decking/wall junction to prevent the structure from rotting out. Consult a spacing chart for bolt spacing and size.

Your deck should never wobble If it does have a professional do an inspection.




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