There is an intuitive accident causation model called the Swiss Cheese Model where small risks across a broad spectrum of qualities line up perfectly to create, well, an accident. JLC published “What A Long, Strange Drip It’s Been” this month which is a great example of this kind of cumulative impact small mistakes can have. Bad drip edge install, overhang-free building design, failure-intolerant fascia detail, a discontinuity between fascia and wrap, and a home owner without a proactive approach to preventative maintenance. I grimaced when I reached the part where the sheathing repair didn’t include a replacement of the drip edge – especially when you can see that a new roof was installed between the original inspection and the final sheathing repair.
A while back the Fine Homebuilding Podcast mentioned a paper by M.C Baker called “Decay of Wood“. Took me a bit to find it, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a crisp five page introduction to wood decay. It is great to find these kinds of introductory texts which lay out exactly enough to start you on a research path – for example, I didn’t know that there were five specific types of building-rot fungi of most concern/importance. That’s a short list!
Great to see a Maine crew star in this video series on wall framing. The crew involved is from Kolbert Building, you may know Dan Kolbert from his involvement with the “Pretty Good House” concept.
Rick Steves largely lives on the edge of my consciousness – he’s a famous figure whose books I never really used (for no particular reason I mostly used the Lonely Planet guides). He was profiled last month in the New York Times and, as always, sets the bar high for engaged living: pack light, stay positive, and try new things.
Throw-back Song of the Week: Whale – Hobo Humpin Slobo Babe
TYPD 