Field repairs/modifications of trusses

[Victor DaGraca]

Same two houses as mentioned in the OSHA mandate post. Brand new etc... etc...

One of the houses had an unusual situation with the truss install. I could slip my fingers in between the top chord and the decking. 2x4s had been "scabbed" to the trusses in order to provide a level surface for the roof decking.

I wrote it up as follows:
"Truss framing has been repaired / modified. Trusses are engineered by the manufacturer, and, as such, a written affidavit should be provided stating that the repairs / modifications are acceptable to the manufacturer."


Am I out of bounds on this one?

[Billy Stephens]

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Am I out of bounds on this one?

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Nope,

Think of what the roof will look like after the decking clips sag and fail in a few years.

Lumps,Humps and Bumps! :eek:

[Matthew Barnicle]

I have seen filler strips of wood between the truss and the roof decking, which I thought was acceptable, but I would call out a gap and the modifications just as you did.

[Brandon Chew]

Good call. Two issues:

Trusses are an engineered system and any modifications or repairs to them need to be engineered. If the current owner cannot provide the engineering that shows those repairs are ok, then the engineering (to also include determination of the methods and costs of proper repairs) should be done before the title to the property changes hands.

I'd also be concerned about whether the roof sheathing was properly supported by and fastened to the roof framing. If it is not, excessive movement of the sheathing could result in premature failure of the roof covering, or whole sections of the roof might decide to fly away in a windstorm.