Where Do Structural Engineers Work?

Structural engineers are brought on to a project if an owner is planning on changing the use of a building, introducing more floors to a building, or adding a significant expansion to a building.  It’s very important to understand that introducing alterations to any structural element without consulting a professional engineer may result in serious damage to the structure and in some cases partial or extensive collapse of the building.

Structural engineers are also brought on board if there is damage to a structure due to fire, corrosion, environmental deterioration, impact or wear and tear that could result in a loss of capacity and impose a threat to the public’s safety. When a structural engineer is contacted for an assessment of an existing building, they would visually inspect the structure and determine the structural integrity of the load bearing elements, potential concerns regarding the occupants safety, suggest repair techniques and recommend structural details to restore the structure to its original conditions in order to resist the applied loads.Source

Deck Tips

Building a deck in your outdoor space gives you more room to entertain and relax. Installing a deck can take time and good carpentry skills. However, with good planning building a ground level deck is something you can do yourself. With a ground level deck, there’s no stairs or stair railings to make.

•  Moisture is a deck’s worst enemy. Protect your new deck with an exterior wood stain, weather sealer or combination of the two. Always allow your deck to dry for 24 to 48 hours after staining or sealing for best results.
• Consider adding an umbrella or overhead to shade a large deck.
• Add lattice screens or fence panels to reduce wind and add privacy.

Be prepared when building a deck:

• Ground-level decks may or may not require a permit. Check your local code requirements.
• Call 811 before you dig. Your utility company will locate and mark any water, gas and power lines in your yard. Avoid digging near any marked lines. Don’t dig within 18 to 24 inches of a marked utility.
• Wear hearing and eye protection when using power tools.
• Wear eye protection when using striking tools.
• Wear a dust mask when cutting lumber and mixing concrete.
• Do not wear gloves when operating power saws.
• Use GFCI-protected power cords when operating corded power tools outdoors.
• Use manufacturer-approved hardware and fasteners for all wood products.

Learning how to build a deck requires a command of basic carpentry and a commitment of time and resources. A deck adds value to your home and helps you enjoy the outdoors in greater comfort. Source

Happy Holidays!

 

Happy Holidays from all of us at Jackson & Sands Engineering to you! 

Hope you have a healthy and safe holiday season!

Jackson & Sands Engineering Inc 

(530) 648-4232

info@jacksonandsandsengineering.com

7 Home Damages That Can Be Caused By Snow

Once you become a homeowner, snowfall becomes less of a magical landscape and more of a cause for concern. Snow and ice can cause serious damage to your home’s exterior, costing you hundreds in repairs if you’re not properly prepared.  Some states worse than others but nonetheless winter months can be frigid for many. 

Here are 7 possible home damages that can be caused by the snow;

1. Roof Damage

Ice dams and winter storms can cause significant damage to your roof. An ice dam occurs when snow on the roof melts due to heat from the attic and refreezes, pushing water under the roof. Ice dams are known to cause roofing leaks and shingle deterioration, among other damages.  Additionally, the sheer weight of snow can cause significant damages to your roof. Issues such as leaks, ice dams and interior water damage are common when the weight of snow is too heavy for your roof to bear.

2. Gutter Damage 

Aside from damaging your roof, ice dams also pose a threat to your home’s gutters. As the snow and ice melt and refreeze at the base of the roof, the water expands, causing the gutters to detach from your home. Water from snow and ice may also drain into your downspouts. If this water refreezes, it may cause downspouts to detach from your home as well. If this happens, immediate repair may be required.

3. Exterior Damage

During the cold weather months, snow can also be harmful to the outside of the home. If allowed to remain in contact with the exterior surfaces, snow can damage your home’s siding, especially wood siding. 

4. Driveway Damage

Throughout the year, it’s important to check your driveway for cracks. During the winter, water can seep into these cracks and freeze, causing frost heave. Frost heave occurs when the water freezes and expands, causing larger cracks and potholes in your driveway. This is most likely to happen after a snowfall, so be extra cautious during wintry weather. 

5. Foundation Damage

The same freezing and unfreezing, and expanding and thawing cycles that can cause cracks in the driveway can also cause damage to the foundation of your home. Small cracks in the concrete of the foundation that is produced over time naturally can expand during the cold winter months. These cracks are some of the most severe home damages caused by snow that can cause significant damages to your home’s structure if left untreated. 

6. Pipe Damage 

By this point, we all know that water expands when it freezes. If water is inside your pipes when that happens, the pipes could crack or burst under pressure, potentially causing significant water damage to the underside of your home. In case of a water-related emergency, knowing the location of your shut off valve is a good idea. Typically, it’s located in the basement or buried towards the street in your front lawn with a concrete or plastic access cover. 

7. Tree Damage

Trees tend to look sturdy and durable during the spring and summer months. However, trees and their branches can be affected by wind, ice and snow. Snow-covered branches put trees under stress, causing branches to break apart and fall.  When this happens, fallen branches could cause damage to your home, car, shed and more. 

Source

7 Doable Tasks to Winterize You Home

Winter is on its way, and along with it, colder weather.  As temperatures begin to drop, it’s not as easy to get out and do what’s necessary to protect your home from potential damage or energy leaks.

1. Clean Your Gutters

Rain gutters can accumulate debris and fallen leaves even without trees in close proximity to your home. This DIY project includes cleaning them out before winter rain and snow arrive so water can drain properly. After removing any kind of obstructions, use a hose and strong stream of water to flush the gutters and downspouts Furthermore, make sure the downspouts are carrying water away from the foundation of the house. Repair any cracks or damage to the gutters, making sure they fit snugly against the house.

2. Check Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

According to the National Fire Protection Association, batteries in your smoke alarms should be replaced at least once a year, and if your smoke alarm is more than 5 years old, replace it with a new one. There should be at least one smoke alarm on every level of your house, with one in each bedroom. (Don’t miss reading these seven important smoke alarm tips.) Safety experts recommend similar placement for carbon monoxide detectors—one on every level of the home and near bedrooms. CO detectors should not be placed above or near fuel-burning appliances, such as a furnace, since a small amount of carbon monoxide is emitted when a furnace turns on.

3. Have Your Furnace Inspected

An often overlooked task in preparing a home for winter is a furnace inspection. Call an HVAC professional to check your furnace, vacuum dust or debris, and perform any maintenance needed. Buy plenty of filters to last you through the winter months and change them regularly. When filters become clogged, the furnace doesn’t run properly.

A clean, quality air filter also helps remove dust, pollen and pet dander from your home’s air. If you’re prone to allergy flare-ups, check out these other ways to help control indoor allergens.

4. Protect Pipes From Freezing

A burst pipe caused by freezing is no fun. Before nightly temperatures dip to freezing, make sure that the water to your hose bibs is shut off inside your house, and that the lines are drained. Check for other pipes that aren’t insulated or that pass through unheated spaces like attics, basements or garages. Place fiberglass insulation between pipes and unheated areas, leaving pipes exposed to heated areas.

5. Seal Your Windows

Seal drafty windows to keep heat in by caulking around window frames and applying weather stripping.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save 10 to 20 percent of your home’s energy by performing this simple step.  If you’re unsure of how to apply caulking or use a caulking gun, follow these steps at wikiHow. Now is also a good time to take down the window screens and put up storm windows, which provide an extra layer of protection for your home.

6. Call a Chimney Sweep

If you plan to use your wood-burning fireplace, have it cleaned and inspected before winter. Burning wood can cause creosote (a sticky, smelly and highly flammable substance) to build up on the inside of the chimney. Make sure the damper is working and that the chimney is capped with screening to keep out critters. You can clean ashes and debris from the fireplace yourself, but it’s best to leave the chimney cleaning and inspection to a professional.  Check out the Chimney Safety Institute of America for a list of certified chimney sweeps in your area.

7. Reverse Your Fan

Reversing the direction of your ceiling fan is something that many people overlook. By reversing its direction from counter clockwise to clockwise, the fan will push warm air downward and force air to re-circulate, cutting heating costs by as much as 10 percent.

Whether or not the cold has made it’s way to you, now is the perfect time to get started on winter preparations for your home. Source

 

5 Lies About ADU's (Accessory Dwelling Units)

 

ADUS look a lot like tiny homes. they have been used to help combat the affordable housing crisis. Since there isms much known about ADUS people love to spread lies and misinformation about how to get them approved and what it actually takes as far as an investment for your home. 

In this video, we cover the Accessory Dwelling Unit Lies, What you need for zoning for your ADU, and What you should be budgeting to have an AUD on your property legally.

 

How Seismic Anchors Protect Infrastructure and Tools

If you live and work in California, you would have heard the words’ seismic anchors’ several times already. California is no stranger to severe earthquakes, so seismic anchors are crucial in building infrastructure. Anchors essentially brace buildings to prevent them from collapsing in an earthquake. 

If you have a building you want to protect during earthquakes, you should also consider anchoring large tools and devices. According to the California Building Code, a device weighing more than 400 pounds requires a permit for seismic anchors. 

To protect your devices, you should get this permit and have strong seismic anchors installed. 

How Do Seismic Anchors Work in Buildings?

Seismic anchors transfer seismic forces from a building to the ground below, allowing a structure to withstand the shaking and vibration during an earthquake.

The transfer process works as follows:

• Seismic anchors connect a structure to its foundation. This is typically done by attaching brackets to the bottom part of a building and bolting each one to the foundation. It is crucial for the formed connection between the building and foundation to be strong enough that it does not break during an earthquake. 
• When an earthquake happens, the vibrations and shaking do not last long. But they are often strong enough to make a building collapse. When seismic anchors transfer the seismic forces to the ground, they help absorb the sheer energy of the earthquake. This helps prevent the structure from collapsing. 
• There is very limited movement between a building and its foundation during an earthquake, allowing the energy to dissolve. 
• Seismic anchors protect buildings during and after earthquakes. This is mainly why they are essential and often required in earthquake-prone areas. 

Why Use Seismic Anchors for Large Tools and Devices

A building should not be the only thing secured in the event of an earthquake; the tools and devices inside should also be anchored. The main reason for anchoring these objects is that they can and will shift and fall during an earthquake, causing severe injury. Even worse, they may become projectiles, injuring those inside the building and causing further damage to the property. 

Seismic anchors help prevent this by securing large tools, devices, and equipment to the ground or walls. Many tools and equipment are essential for industrial operations or public services. If they become damaged, it can lead to disruptions, financial losses, and safety risks. Therefore, seismic anchors can help ensure critical equipment continues functioning during and after an earthquake. 

Although installing seismic anchors along with equipment may be more expensive, it will protect your investment in the long run. 

What Happens If a Building Is Not Secured With Seismic Anchors

Seismic anchors are required for California buildings for a reason. Not using them for your building could cause the structure to collapse during an earthquake. A collapse will also result in injuries or loss of life. On top of that, you will suffer severe financial losses.Your unsecured equipment, tools, and devices will shift or topple over, causing more injuries or deaths. People outside of your building may be hurt or killed if the building with everything inside comes down. 

You will face substantial economic losses after an earthquake and subsequent building collapse. You may be forced to shut your business’s doors for months or years. If you cannot rebuild immediately, your business will likely be closed permanently. 

Moreover, if your insurance provider discovers your building and equipment are not properly anchored for earthquakes, you may be considered a high risk. This means you will pay more on your monthly insurance premium. Source