Building Science Briefs

Building Code v. Best Practices: Who's the Boss?

When I was a young punk kid in my 20’s and thought I was a builder the local building official would show up on my project site before I screwed up - he kept me out of trouble - he taught me enough… Learn More

Mortar Drops Can Cause High-Pressure Water Leaks

How about hurricanes and nor’easters? But they are not common and buildings are expected to leak during these events. Buildings are not expected to blow away and people in them are not expected to… Learn More

Is 50% Relative Humidity The Right Amount?

The Harvard School of Public Health is recommending that we maintain interior relative humidity between 40 and 60 percent during the winter (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/op-ed-… Learn More

What Causes Truss Uplift?

Wood moves. Drywall does not move. Interesting problem. The more you attach drywall to wood, the more cracks you have. Easy, attach the drywall to less wood, and, in a way, that allows the wood to… Learn More

Do Termite Shields Work?

Pests include insects and animals that have a harmful effect on humans, food or living conditions. Pests include insects, termites, ants, cockroaches, mice, rats and dust mites. We are not going to… Learn More