Wait! My house sway during high wind - What should I do?

By: Dr. Farzam Maleki, PE - SurfZone Engineering Consultants - 5/19/2022

Roof framing system should be designed to support the structure for gravity (snow) , lateral (wind), and uplift loads (mainly). Additionally, it would secure the exterior walls from outward/inward movement. Roof structural members can be rafters, trusses, ceiling joists, ridge board/beam, or collar ties. Often, improper roof framing members (size, number, or location) can cause significant deflections.

If you feel your house sways during high wind - depending on your roof type,/span/specifications- you may need to have your roof framing system assessed by a Professional Engineer.

Feel free to contact SurfZone Engineering Consultants for any question or concern!

Healthy Foundation - Healthy structure!

By: Dr. Farzam Maleki, PE - SurfZone Engineering Consultants - 5/8/2022

Different foundation types (fieldstone, reinforced concrete, cinder block) shows different signs under gravity and lateral loads. Foundation cracks (horizontal, diagonal, vertical, step-like, etc), foundation bulge or bow, and uneven settlement, should carefully assessed by a professional engineer to determine the cause and recommend proper course of action. The common reasons for foundation cracks are as follow:

• Horizontal - outside hydrostatic pressure

• Vertical (differential settlement) - insufficient footing specifications, lack of load bearing capacity of the soil, longterm water exposure

• Diagonal - Non uniform soil profile, longterm water exposure

Depending on the foundation/crack condition, repair can be simple or complex.

Feel free to contact SurfZone Engineering Consultants for any question or concern!

The money you spend on structural assessment of your house is probably your best savings!

By: Dr. Farzam Maleki, PE - SurfZone Engineering Consultants - 3/6/2022

Regardless of the type of structure (residential, commercial, condominium, etc), your house/building is the most valuable asset that your safety and quality of life directly relies on. Structural repairs can be expensive, disruptive, and time consuming. Routine assessment of the building allows for early diagnosis of the structural issues which can significantly reduce the cost of repair. Most of the times, structural defective signs develop at the later stages of the process. Don't wait until you notice a concerning issue!

The frequency of the structural assessment depends on the age and condition, location (e.g., urban or coastal), type of the structure (e.g., wood, brick, etc), dwelling type (e.g., single-family, multifamily, condominiums, etc).

When should you reach out to a professional engineer for structural assessments?

Here are a few examples when you need to engage a professional engineer for structural assessment

• Developing cracks (foundation walls, beams, joists, etc)

• Rotting or boring insect damage

• Progressive floor sagging

• Framing separation

• Unusual shifting

Not sure! Feel free to contact SurfZone Engineering Consultants for any question or concern!

SurfZone Engineering Consultants has registered professional civil engineers in the state of Massachusetts. Civil engineering registration allows structural engineering and civil engineering for residential applications and most commercial applications.