Structural insight & advice
Blog
Clear, engineer-written explanations of the questions homeowners and contractors in Lévis, on the South Shore and across the Quebec City area ask us most.
Adding a Storey to a Bungalow: What to Check Structurally
A bungalow's foundation, walls and ceiling were designed for one storey. Before adding a second, you need to know whether they can take it.
CNESST Procedures: Roof Access With an Aerial Platform (PEMP)
Accessing a roof with an aerial platform takes planning, and CNESST may require a written work procedure.
Decks and Balconies: The Structural Requirements Not to Overlook
A deck looks simple to build, but it's a structural element, and the attachment to the house is often its weak point.
LVL, PSL or Steel Beam: How to Choose the Replacement Beam for a Load-Bearing Wall
Engineered wood or steel? The beam that replaces a load-bearing wall depends on span, load and available height.
Roof Snow Loads in Quebec: What the Code Says
Snow is one of the largest loads a roof has to carry in Quebec, and it isn't the same everywhere.
Frost Heave: Why Your Slabs and Foundations Move in Winter
A garage slab that rises in winter and settles back in spring? Frost is often the cause.
Garage Slab: Why Engineer's Plans Are Increasingly Requested
Developers, municipalities and GCR increasingly ask for an engineer-designed garage slab. What that changes for a contractor.
Pyrite and Pyrrhotite: Two Different Foundation Problems
They're often confused, but one attacks the fill under the slab and the other attacks the concrete itself.
How Do You Know if a Wall Is Load-Bearing?
A few clues hint that a wall carries the structure, but none of them replaces an engineer's analysis.
Structural Engineer vs. Building Inspector: Who Does What During a Home Purchase?
Both can be involved when you buy a house, but their mandate, their methods and their professional oversight are different.
Foundation Cracks: Should You Worry?
A crack in concrete is usually nothing to worry about. Its type, direction and whether it changes over time tell you which ones matter.
French Drains and Iron Ochre: What Every Homeowner Should Know
That orange deposit can plug a foundation drain within a few years. Where iron ochre comes from, and how the BNQ 3661-500 standard limits the risk.