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### Signs of Roof Failure 1. **Water or smoke seeping through a solid brick wall:** This indicates a buildup of pressure on the interior as well as a weakness in the wall construction. This combination can result in failure of the wall. 2. **The roof pulling away from the wall:** This may be eviden...

### Signs of Roof Failure 1. **Water or smoke seeping through a solid brick wall:** This indicates a buildup of pressure on the interior as well as a weakness in the wall construction. This combination can result in failure of the wall. 2. **The roof pulling away from the wall:** This may be evidenced by the relatively clean wood on the ends of beams that were set into the wall or by gaps in the roofing material at the wall joint. 3. **The roof sagging or feeling abnormally soft or spongy:** Obvious sagging of floors or roofs (fig. 22-20) is one of the last warning signs before collapse. It should prompt evacuation of the endangered area and the area immediately below. Sponginess, however, can be a natural condition on some types of roofs, particularly inverted roofs. This condition calls for further evaluation. What type of roof is it? How much fire is present under the roof? How long has the fire been burning in the roof space?