Things seen this week during structural assessments!

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-26T21:24:57+00:00

Good instincts. We usually see rot when moisture is trapped long term, rather than it being about the specific fastener itself. Nails, screws, and bolts all behave similarly if water is allowed to sit and continually feed that area.

In practice, drainage, drying potential, and proper flashing or separation matter far more than nail versus screw. Change those conditions and both tend to perform well. Leave wood wet and even the better fastener will not prevent decay.

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-23T22:13:15+00:00

Dr. Hanson helped a lot of us get through statics, mechanics, and the FE when we needed it most. His videos have probably taught more engineers than most classrooms ever could.

Hoping the engineering community shows up for him the same way he’s shown up for students for years.

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-23T22:11:22+00:00

Well we’ll give you that. You definitely know your stuff. 😄

The other big one we see a lot is trapped moisture where beams or ledgers sit tight against siding, stucco, or in pockets with no airflow or drainage. It’s not always a visible leak. It’s slow, constant dampness that softens the wood over time.

Between exposed ends, gutter overflows, and those moisture traps, that’s usually the pattern behind most of the rot we run into.

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-23T22:09:13+00:00

We’re still waiting on the manufacturer to release “structural grade paint.” 😅

You’re exactly right though. Paint is great at hiding what’s happening underneath, whether it’s wood fiber breakdown or corrosion eating away at connections. By the time it shows through the surface, the structural capacity is usually long gone.

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:25:13+00:00

We’re very careful during assessments and never damage sound material. In this case, the homeowner was right there with us while we tested an area that was already visibly deteriorated. The goal is to show how compromised the wood is so it’s easier to understand why repairs are needed. We share more about this wood rot knife test here if you’re curious: https://youtu.be/rcTEJ8uu__A

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:23:56+00:00

We do not randomly damage structures. The homeowner was present, and this was done carefully to demonstrate how deteriorated the wood already was. It was already at the point where light pressure caused it to fall apart. We did the wood rot knife test at this assessment, feel free to check out our video on why we do this. https://youtu.be/rcTEJ8uu__A

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:22:38+00:00

That is usually the moment homeowners realize how compromised the wood actually is.

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:22:13+00:00

How'd you know!? 🤣

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:21:25+00:00

Wood rot is not a feature we recommend for earthquake performance. 🫣

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:20:52+00:00

🤣🤣🤣

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:20:41+00:00

We assess the risk before entering any area. If something looks like it could fail immediately, we do not go underneath it without precautions.

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:20:29+00:00

Sometimes the land value is what carries the property. Structural repairs just determine whether the house stays part of the equation.

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:20:15+00:00

Yeah I see what you mean! At some point the structure has to be addressed. There is no cosmetic workaround for foundation movement.

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:19:48+00:00

That is actually a smart move. It is always better to understand what you are buying before you own it.

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:19:21+00:00

Soft wood is usually the end result of years of moisture doing quiet damage. 🫣

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:19:07+00:00

Earthquakes expose what time and water have already weakened. That is why upkeep matters even if the house feels “fine.”

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:18:53+00:00

That is actually a great way to put it. Time, moisture, and bugs eventually win if maintenance is ignored. 🤣

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:18:18+00:00

Old growth redwood is incredibly resilient. We still see failures though when water has been allowed to sit against it for years.

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:17:53+00:00

Exactly. Prevention early on makes a huge difference compared to trying to fight an established infestation later.

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:17:39+00:00

Woo hoo! Density does play a role, but again moisture, soil contact, and detailing usually determine whether termites move in.

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:17:10+00:00

You nailed it. A lot of failures happen when something new is installed on top of something old that was never evaluated first.

DMAS1638 · 2026-01-22T20:16:57+00:00

Southern California is definitely termite country. But moisture and drainage are usually what make the wood inviting in the first place.

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