About Per Guide
What Per Guide Is
Per Guide is a manual for homeowners who want to understand how their house is built before touching a tool. We explain the physical structure just as a patient builder would point a flashlight at the basement joists. Pulling down drywall in the living room might expose a load bearing wall holding up the floor above. You need to know what you are looking at.
The heavy roof transfers weight down through the wood walls to rest on the underground foundation footing. Hydrostatic pressure from pooling water cracks the concrete block wall. Moisture destroys wood. Keep the dirt dry to protect the house.
What You Will Find
We separate the house into its basic physical systems. Readers will find articles organized into these categories:
- Foundations
- Walls and Framing
- Insulation and Moisture
- Roof Structure
- Building Systems
- Adding On
- Calling a Pro
Articles explain how materials connect to each other and why they fail over time. We use exact figures like a 2x10 joist at 16 inches on center. Water damages the sill plate, causing the wood to rot and the studs above it to drop. Fixing this always requires a building permit from the local building department.
Who Writes Here
The articles on this site are written under pen names. Orrin Pettibone covers foundations, framing, load bearing walls and when to hire a structural engineer. Phyllis Oglesby writes about insulation, moisture, roof structure and attic ventilation. Paxton Ouellette handles HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, additions and hiring licensed pros.
Houses settle and move constantly over the years. Orrin Pettibone details how a foundation footing drops and cracks the interior drywall above it. Phyllis Oglesby explains how closed attic vents trap moisture, lowering the fiberglass R-value and rotting the plywood roof sheathing. Paxton Ouellette shows how a new bathroom extension connects to existing plumbing drain lines.
How to Reach Us
Does a door header sag and make you wonder how the wood framing distributes the physical load? You can send a message through the site to get in touch. Check with your local building department before starting a heavy project. Many structural repairs require an engineer or a licensed pro.