DEAR TIM: Yesterday I stopped by my new house that’s under construction. I go there at the end of each day to take photos. I saw a strange board nailed across the wall studs that surely is a mistake.

Q:I read your article on diagonal bracing and was hoping you would clarify your instructions so I can explain them to my contractor. I, too, have lath-and-plaster walls with many cracks. My house is ...

Q: The attic in our 4-year-old house creaks, and when it’s windy we hear cracking noises as well. The sounds are loud, waking us up. The builder sent a fellow to add 2-by-4s to some of the trusses. It ...