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John F Mann PE: Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2017 1:15 AM
Proper evaluation of design and construction defects requires careful analysis of available information, as well as determination of the need for additional information if feasible.
All-too-often, attorneys do not have adequate knowledge to effectively handle design and construction defect claims. You should consider having qualified structural engineer perform evaluation before hiring attorney. You can then be able to develop questions for such attorney based on engineering report as well as discussions with engineer about claim. |
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Posted on Monday, May 19, 2014 10:37 AM
We have recently been made aware of a problem with state and municipal code officials in New Jersey incorrectly applying DEP and municipal zoning regulations that govern required height of first floor when raising a house in a flood zone. The following is a basic explanation; determing actual requirements for any particular house may be somewhat more involved. For further discussion, the term "structure-line" is defined as follows; -- For A and AE Flood Zone: Lowest (usually first) floor of house, considered to be top of floor sheathing |
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John F Mann PE: Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2012 6:22 AM
Defective foundation walls are a common problem, especially for concrete block walls. Foundation walls around full basement are all-too-often cracked and pushed inward by soil against the wall. In New Jersey alone, at least several tens of thousands of basement foundation walls built in the last 40 years have a major problem with excessive height of soil backfill. Many of these walls have been damaged or severely damaged. This extensive problem most often begins with faulty design. The wall is not thick enough to resist lateral force from soil pressure against the wall. |
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Posted on Friday, October 15, 2010 7:26 AM
During evaluation of two new homes (one for new owner; one for buyer) in New Jersey, design plans were reviewed. Each two-story single-family home is in a development containing 200 or so homes, built by the same major builder.
Design wind speed is over 100 mph for each house. The building code (IRC 2006 NJ) requires specific engineering design for wind resistance when design wind speed is 100 mph or greater.
In each set of plans, a standard detail is provided showing an exterior wall, with plywood sheathing. |
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John F Mann, PE: Posted on Saturday, October 09, 2010 10:52 AM
Homeowners in New Jersey should carefully consider the risks of filing a claim through the NJ New Home Warranty Program (NHWP). For many owners, results are frustrating at best, especially for structural defects.
See the article on this site for basic description of the program and detailed discussion about one recent case. Home Warranty Case Study.
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