Get matched with top structural engineers in Elmwood, WI

Q: How long does it take for water to cause structural damage?

• <div><p>Water can seep into porous materials like wood beams, floor joists, and roof rafters within minutes, but they&rsquo;ll need to see prolonged exposure before you have structural damage. Mold can start growing within 24 hours, and mold can eat away at the structural components over time. Wood rot is more of a concern, though. Wet and dry rot are fungal infections that set in in moist conditions and rapidly deteriorate wood, causing major structural damage within just a few months in some cases.</p></div>

Q: Are brick houses safer in an earthquake?

• <div><p>According to the <a href="https://www.earthquakecountry.org/step4/urmwalls/#:~:text=Houses%20built%20of%20unreinforced%20masonry,and%20the%20roof%20is%20critical.">Earthquake Country Alliance</a>&mdash;a public and private alliance in California that works to improve earthquake and tsunami readiness&mdash;reports that unreinforced masonry, such as stone, bricks, and hollow clay tiles, is more susceptible to earthquake damage. The mortar between bricks isn&rsquo;t as stable as other building materials and methods.</p></div>

Q: Can a one-story house have a load-bearing wall?

• <div><p>Yes, a one-story house can have a load-bearing wall. The load-bearing walls in a single-story home are usually the exterior walls. If the house has a basement with exposed walls, the arrangement of the beams can help indicate what walls are load-bearing.</p></div>

Q: Is it okay to drill into a load-bearing beam?

• <div><p>You should avoid drilling or cutting into load-bearing beams because removing material will weaken it and increase the risk of structural damage or even collapse. If you do need to drill into a load-bearing beam, speak with a structural engineer first to discuss where it&rsquo;s safest to drill and the width and depth of the bit that&rsquo;s safe to use.</p></div>

Q: Can water damage affect the structural integrity of my walls?

• <div><p>Yes, water damage can affect your walls' structural integrity. If the water or moisture sits on the walls for an extended period, it can weaken the drywall, plaster, wood framing, and other materials supporting the wall. That's why it's critical to dry out the area as soon as you notice it.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Structural Engineering pros in Elmwood, WI

*The Angi rating for Structural Engineering companies in Elmwood, WI is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Structural Engineering companies in Elmwood, WI is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Structural Engineering needs.

Last update on January 22, 2026

Reviewed in January 2026
Jerold and his crew do an excellent job with every project I give them. He has done several projects big and small at our home, our rentals and he recently did a remodel of our daughter’s kitchen. He has built decks, repaired exterior siding, installed doors, etc. He is my go to person for...
Elk Valley Construction
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Reviewed in December 2025
TRS Builders was totally professional from start to finish. The work was completed faster than expected and the crew was extremely knowledgeable and worked in sync like a hive of bees (I know from my beekeeping experience) and left no trace of any work done. The value for the cost was...
TRS Builders & Remodelers LLC
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Reviewed in August 2025
We are very pleased with the roofing work SDS Construction completed for Living Hope Church. The team was great from beginning to end and worked within the schedule of the church to minimize any disruption to scheduled services. If you’re in need of contracting services, we recommend SDS...
SDS Construction Enterprises
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Reviewed in August 2025
I've had Jonathan build several buildings on my rural Wisconsin property. He built my garage and the privy and he framed muy outdoor kitchen. He does excellent work. He's well organized, his planning is great, he stays on schedule, he stayed within budget and he does excellent work. He's also...
Sandhill Interiors LLC
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Reviewed in August 2025
We are very satisfied with the final results of our remodel. It’s an amazing transformation from our former bathroom.
Affordable Home Remodeling
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Reviewed in February 2025
We had a complete yard, front and back, design and execution of the design. Work involved removal of original yard and over grown plantings and unwanted trees. That work was done with care but very thorough. Then the new design was brought to life and transformed our outdoor space and its enjoy...
Outdoor Aesthetix
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Reviewed in November 2023
After 7 months waiting for another contractor to get off their backsides i finally told them to send my money back and told them i would find someone else. I called Bruce Andrews Seamless and asked if by chance they did the work i needed done. I knew they did roofs but my garage needed new...
Bruce Andrews Seamless Gutters LLC
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Reviewed in September 2021
Jayden has excellent customer service! Heâ s honest and his work is outstanding. I would recommend him to anyone looking to remodel, build, or to just put finishing touches on a home or building. We had him mud, tape, and sand or drywall in our 1900â s home, and Jayden met and exceeded the...
Foley Integrated Contracting, LLC
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Reviewed in April 2021
Excellent workmanship, courteous and patient. They had to work around other people during the remodeling and they were very understanding. They worked long hours to get the project done in a timely fashion.
Rusty's Radiant Flooring
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Reviewed in April 2016
I contacted them because I wanted to put a steel beam in taking out one of my jack posts. I mentioned to them about a 10 inch flange being that I have a modular home and the two halves coming together pretty much equal that. They did not like this idea and all I heard was how Bill was almost an...
Heritage Builders
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Structural Engineering questions, answered by experts

Water can seep into porous materials like wood beams, floor joists, and roof rafters within minutes, but they’ll need to see prolonged exposure before you have structural damage. Mold can start growing within 24 hours, and mold can eat away at the structural components over time. Wood rot is more of a concern, though. Wet and dry rot are fungal infections that set in in moist conditions and rapidly deteriorate wood, causing major structural damage within just a few months in some cases.

According to the Earthquake Country Alliance—a public and private alliance in California that works to improve earthquake and tsunami readiness—reports that unreinforced masonry, such as stone, bricks, and hollow clay tiles, is more susceptible to earthquake damage. The mortar between bricks isn’t as stable as other building materials and methods.

Yes, a one-story house can have a load-bearing wall. The load-bearing walls in a single-story home are usually the exterior walls. If the house has a basement with exposed walls, the arrangement of the beams can help indicate what walls are load-bearing.

You should avoid drilling or cutting into load-bearing beams because removing material will weaken it and increase the risk of structural damage or even collapse. If you do need to drill into a load-bearing beam, speak with a structural engineer first to discuss where it’s safest to drill and the width and depth of the bit that’s safe to use.

Yes, water damage can affect your walls' structural integrity. If the water or moisture sits on the walls for an extended period, it can weaken the drywall, plaster, wood framing, and other materials supporting the wall. That's why it's critical to dry out the area as soon as you notice it.

The Elmwood, WI homeowners’ guide to structural engineering services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Lyle Hendriks
•
May 5, 2026May 5, 2026
How Much Does Beam Installation Cost [2026 Data]
Beam installation costs are an important consideration if you’re building a home or doing renovations. Learn about average costs and factors in this guide.
Timothy Moore
•
May 30, 2026May 30, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Install an LVL Beam? [2026 Data]
Looking to remove load-bearing walls and vertical supports to open up your living space? Learn about what affects the cost to install an LVL beam.
Haley Nothstein
•
May 30, 2026May 30, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Main House Support Beam? [2026 Data]
A damaged main support beam can cause serious structural damage to your house. Learn how much it costs to replace a main house support beam.
Rachel Hoffman
•
May 3, 2026May 3, 2026
10 Signs of Structural Damage in Your Home
Keeping your home safe and structurally sound should be a top priority. Learn to recognize the signs of structural damage you should never ignore.
Rachel Hoffman
•
Apr 4, 2026Apr 4, 2026
Who Can Check if a Wall Is Load-Bearing?
Before removing a wall, make sure it’s not load-bearing. Learn the benefits of hiring a structural engineer to check if a wall is load-bearing.
Dan Simms
•
Apr 9, 2026Apr 9, 2026
Why You May Need to Hire a Structural Engineer for a Home Inspection
Learn why it might be a good idea to hire a structural engineer for a home inspection in addition to a general home inspector when you’re purchasing a home.