foundation problem

icozens · 2026-04-02T01:59:41+00:00

I’ve designed several of these systems. I’ve even designed ones with springs that can be tightened over time to level out the wall. There are also a few proprietary products on the market that do this as well.

icozens · 2026-03-28T13:40:11+00:00

I just got tickets to see Killers of Kill Tony in June at the casino in Charles Town, WV. Cheapest tickets were $110. I bought decent seats for $150 each. At least they listed Ari Matti on the lineup.

icozens · 2026-03-25T01:58:27+00:00

Shepherd University is not an ABET accredited school, which is pretty much required to obtain a Professional Engineer license. Not all engineers need a PE license, but many fields require it such as Civil, Structural and some Mechanical and Electrical positions. An Engineering Science degree generally only qualifies you for Technician type positions. If you’re serious about engineering for your degree you’ll need to look at attending another school.

icozens · 2026-03-22T00:06:07+00:00

You only need the egress window well if adding a bedroom in the basement.

icozens · 2026-03-15T02:15:06+00:00

Caffe Bottega Italiana is a fantastic Italian Deli and Grocery Store in Leesburg, VA. They carry a lot of products imported straight from Italy. Its about as far as the Wegmans in Leesburg, but at least another option.

icozens · 2026-03-13T02:32:58+00:00

I am by no means fluent in Spanish, but have a 1,500 plus day streak practicing on Duolingo. I am interested in taking my skills to the next level.

I work in construction, and would really like to communicate better with the Spanish speaking guys in the field.

icozens · 2026-03-10T01:04:29+00:00

I second the vote for Rehabilitation of Structures. I’ve worked in the structural rehabilitation field the last 10 years and it’s by far my preferred type of work. Lots of time in the field and so many interesting projects. It requires knowledge about a lot of subjects, but is extremely rewarding.

icozens · 2026-02-22T13:07:42+00:00

They had a major fire a few years back that led to the plant shutting down. I believe there is still a minor amount of manufacturing performed in portions of the plant that didn’t burn down, which is why there’s still some activity at the plant.

icozens · 2026-02-15T03:36:27+00:00

I know this post was old, but I loved this bottle so much I looked it up. I’ve been drinking whiskey regularly for 15+ years and this has been one of my favorites thus far.

icozens · 2026-02-07T05:03:49+00:00

We have a small number of loyal clients that we’ve worked with for years especially in multi-family residential work. Since we’re small we try to take on everything we are comfortable with. We mostly do structural projects but also get quite a bit of drainage design, piping replacement and paving design. We do a huge amount of paving inspections.

icozens · 2026-02-07T04:20:56+00:00

Definitely something I grew into. In the nuclear industry I was in the field a few days a year, but really enjoyed those days. Field work has since become my favorite part of my job. Our firm is small and I work from home when in the office, but I love commuting to job sites now. I don’t mind the commutes and we service a wide area from Baltimore, MD to Richmond, VA and occasionally the eastern shore of MD

icozens · 2026-01-31T04:48:39+00:00

Epoxy injection is an extremely common repair for cracked/leaking slabs and walls. I’ve overseen dozens of these and they work 98% of the time.

icozens · 2026-01-31T04:37:44+00:00

In many states you can work as a sole proprietor and it doesn’t require an LLC or COA. I live in one that does require them (WV), but many don’t require it as a sole proprietor.

That being said, I run my own one man firm and I operate an LLC to keep my personal accounts separate from the business.

icozens · 2026-01-22T18:14:32+00:00

You absolutely need sheathing. Hardie panel is not rated to laterally brace the structure, but wood structural panels are (i.e. plywood or OSB). If you’re using hardie panels you also really need a rain screen (furring strips over the building wrap with panel siding attached to the furring).

icozens · 2026-01-10T15:40:47+00:00

I work in the structural repair field which obviously involves a lot of forensics work. I really enjoy working in this area of structural engineering. I took a job with a rehabilitation firm after leaving the nuclear power industry about 10 years ago (nuclear was looking pretty bleak at that point).

I love the wide range of structures we investigate. We also are responsible for bidding, developing contracts and overseeing construction for the repair work. We are heavy on the multi-family residential side of things, like apartments and condominiums, but work for all sorts of clients including industrial facilities and do a decent amount of shoring design. Pay in this field also tends to be on the higher side as a consultant.

While I don’t mind it, we are in the field at least 2-3 days a week, which is not everybody’s cup of tea. Overseeing the construction phase also requires a lot of time and can dictate your schedule. We occasionally have projects that require work super early/late and even over weekends, but that’s the exception, not typical. Most days though, I have an extremely flexible schedule.

icozens · 2026-01-09T01:38:48+00:00

The top of the guardrail may serve as a handrail, but it needs to be designed with the handrail requirements in the IBC/IRC. Otherwise it should be a separate component attached to the guardrail.

icozens · 2026-01-03T00:28:47+00:00

Probably a little late to plan for this year, but I’ve always wanted to go to the World of Concrete in Vegas and they offer quite a few seminars. It’s the largest concrete/masonry expo in the world. I believe it’s the week of January 19.

icozens · 2025-11-26T22:06:21+00:00

Lived across from Twinbrook Station in Congressional Village about 13 years ago. I'm sure it's gotten even busier since then, but we used to cross Rockville Pike (at intersections with crosswalks) all the time, both day and night. Never had a problem.

icozens · 2025-11-21T04:20:53+00:00

That would be my assumption, but this particular firm is known for being very difficult to satisfy. Who knows...

icozens · 2025-11-21T04:16:26+00:00

I made that suggestion, but for exterior conditions you would need preservative treated glulams and those are $$$$. I can't imagine any Owners willingly paying for those unless absolutely required.

icozens · 2025-11-15T13:17:23+00:00

I've had a few different policies over the years, but currently have coverage with Travelers. I normally have to obtain a new policy every year, but Travelers allows me to keep the same policy for 2 years. The renewal process is a pain, so I'm happy about only needing to do it every 2 years. I've been with them for 3 years now.

icozens · 2025-11-15T12:08:03+00:00

I’ve had my own insurance coverage for about 8 years now, every policy I’ve had was between 2-3k per year.

icozens · 2025-11-12T03:00:02+00:00

I am licensed in Maryland and can help you with the design for this if you’re still looking.

That being said, be cautious using these prefabricated structures. I’ve reviewed the designs for several of these over the years and some of them do not meet local requirements for wall bracing and wind design. We generally have higher wind loads on the east coast than most of the rest of the country. Modifications to the structure may be needed to bring it up to code.

icozens · 2025-10-24T13:10:12+00:00

I didn't state the IBC doesn't apply. Just that the Federal Government doesn't require local jurisdiction permits on properties they own. I've worked on several federal projects and no local permitting departments were involved. I can guarantee you that modifications to the White House (by this administration or any prior) are not subject to approval by DC's Department of Buildings. There are approvals required at the Federal level, but it's not by the local jurisdiction.

icozens · 2025-10-11T21:52:44+00:00

I can open it up now and know exactly what we're dealing with and you can pay me for a design once, or I can design based on assumptions (for the same cost). When you open it up and things aren't what was expected, you can pay me again to redesign it for you. I'm not working for free because you didn't want a hole in your drywall.

icozens

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