The following documents are for the purpose of free sharing of information:
Farm Buildings: Code Exemption - Agricultural buildings are typically exempt from complying with State Building Codes. This document summaries the code wording that exempts farm buildings from having to comply with buildings codes.
Farm Buildings: Structural Evaluations - This document had guidelines that can be used to evaluate existing agricultural (farm) buildings that are not governed by a specific code or standard.
Window: Seal Failure - This document explains the problem of a fogged window and lists the usual causes of window fogging.
Basement Walls Hydrostatic Pressure - This document explains how basement walls are intended to resist lateral soil loads. It also explains the problems associated with hydrostatic soil pressures.
Basement Insulation MN Commerce Dept - This document has information on best practice for insulating basement foundation.
Residential Ventilation - This document explains some of the different types of ventilation used in residential homes, the problems with inadequate ventilation, and the solutions to improving air quality through adequate ventilation.
MN DNR Shoreline Ice Ridges - This document explains what causes the formation of lake shores.
Residential House Repairs - This document is a guide regarding the reasonable approach to residential building repairs.
Simplified Process of Building Repair - This document a brief summary of the process of restoring a damaged building.
Asphalt Shingles - Thermal Cracking - This document provides background information that is needed to understand the issues related to thermal cracking in asphalt shingles.
Codes - Standards - Common Sense - This document explains some of the interactions between Building Codes, Specifications, Standards, and plain old common sense with regard to evaluations of existing buildings.
Collateral Evidence of Hail - This document helps relate what typical damage from various diameters of hail might look like if coming in contact with common items found at a typical residential property.
Warning - Is It Really Damaged - Did the home inspection come back with a statement that the roof is no good? Do the prospective buyers want a massive reduction in purchase price? Has panic set in? Is it damaged? What happens next?
Nail Pops on Asphalt Roofs - Nails can back out of wood. Contractors, Public Adjusters, and Manufacturer’s all agree. They see them; however, there is not a general agreement on what causes them. This is my 2 cents on the topic.
NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers - Engineers are expected to "exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity." This document is available as a free download from the NSPE website.
Weather Study – Hail & Radar - This article summarizes the limitations and benefits of using historical weather data to support a conclusion that there was damaging hail at a specific location.