POA&M Structural Engineering, PLLC

12/13/2025

Maintaining brick masonry can be a challenge. The Brick Industry Association recommends that you CUT, DO NOT PULL, ivy and plant growth that contributes to moisture pe*******on and the deterioration of your masonry. Avoid pulling vines from the wall.
Please visit www.gobrick.com for more tips on the "Maintenance of Brick Masonry" and further Technical Notes on Brick Construction.

Discover Bricks! Whether you’re a homeowner or building professional, bricks are a beautiful, versatile, economical, and environmentally sustainable option for your next project.

05/18/2024

As shown in the image from a Hampton, VA permit application, a homeowner takes on the burden of code compliance when obtaining a permit for a contractor. Read the fine print wherever you live.
In Virginia, when deciding upon a contractor (or professional engineer or barber or ...) utilize VA DPOR license lookup at https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookup/ . You can also view disciplinary action taken against the licensee. Most importantly, you can verify licensing.

10/18/2023

In addition to load based design requirements, concrete selection for your project should consider other factors related durability associated with soil chemistry and exposure to the weather.

Ask questions!

Request a copy of the plans/drawings which should specify or identify construction & isolation joints (to name a few) as well as durability related factors such as 1) freeze & thaw cycles, 2) soil sulfate content (e.g., gypsum) in the soil, 3) contact with water, and 4) corrosion protection of reinforcement according to the American Concrete Institute (concrete.org) ACI 318-14 & ACI 332-14 (Residential).

Please remember to check state building codes and local code requirements.

The following image identifying exposure categories and classes is from ACI 318-14 (ACI Copyright Material www.concrete.org)

07/18/2023

MyVirginia, powered by PayIt, offers a quick and easy way to request certification of an individual or business license issued by DPOR. Visit myvirginia.dpor.virginia.gov to submit a request online in just a few minutes!

myvirginia.dpor.virginia.gov

02/25/2023

It is more likely than not that the rust (most common form of corrosion) you find on the forks, knives, spoons and other metal utensils you place in the dishwasher is due to what is known as galvanic corrosion; the result of the combination of utensils of different metals (aka dissimilar metals) touching and water during the dishwashing cycle.

The same process occurs when structures or components of dissimilar metals (including their fasteners) are joined. While this is often carefully considered during the design and construction processes, it is often neglected during maintenance over the life of a structure or component. Elements are often replaced with components that fit physically match but are not compatible chemically.

01/24/2023

Anyone performing work on your structure should be able to point you to an applicable building or maintenance code. Access to the building code is free at codes.iccsafe.org/codes. Visit your city or county government website for additional information.

ICC Digital Codes is the largest provider of model codes, custom codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures.

12/16/2022

Before purchasing a home have it inspected by someone you find and hire.

Not everyone needs a structural engineer right away. There are so many aspects, components, and assemblies that make up a structure. A structural assessment can get as specific as the type of fastener (i.e., screws, nails, bolts, etc.) used. There is a significant difference in fees associated with a specific request (i.e., check a foundation pier) vs. a general request (i.e., check my crawlspace).

Typically, the structural engineer follows a general home inspector (covers most general aspects of the home).

Request that the areas in the garage, attics, and crawlspace be clutter free prior to the inspector's visit. Peek into the areas, if your view is blocked, the inspector's view will also be block; the inspector is not moving stuff out of the way. They will simply note that a particular area was not accessible.

Use the American Society of Home Inspectors (homeinspector.org) to find an inspector in your area. This type of certification provides another level of comfort regarding the quality of your inspector.

Please do your homework when hiring an inspector, there may be regulatory bodies in your state governing their practice.

Best thing yet, in addition to the inspector, you or a trusted friend should check the attics, the crawlspaces, and other places with exposed structures.

10/21/2022

Currently, by appointment only!