Common Roofing Errors

I was recently called to consult on an Iowa home that had extensive roof leaks into the finished space. According to the homeowner, the leaks […]

Repairing a Rotting Roof

Water dripping from a skylight during an autumn rainstorm looked like a minor leak. But when the roofer making repairs discovered an unexpectedly large area of saturated OSB sheathing and […]

Getting Kickout Flashings Right

I founded my own framing and siding company back in 1990, and while my brother still runs the siding division, much of my work these […]

Common Siding Failures

I see a lot of failed siding jobs. The one shown in the photos in this article is typical of the fiber-cement siding jobs I am […]

How to Destroy a Wall in Two Easy Steps

I was recently called to a home in Grinnell, Iowa, to investigate a water stain on the interior drywall. The stain was a harmless-looking discoloration […]

Synthetic Stucco Without Failures

I started out 38 years ago as a framing and siding contractor in Iowa and for the last 20 years, have worked as an exteriors […]

Mixing Cladding and Stick-On Stone

A common exterior detail on homes throughout North America mixes a manufactured stone veneer, or what the industry calls adhered concrete masonry veneer (ACMV), on […]

A Rot-Resistant Chimney Chase

I do quite a bit of siding rehab work, much of it on relatively new houses. I think our weather is partly to blame —where […]