Thread: Modular roof system help needed

Do the following items appear suspect:
(1) the main center line posts where they attach at the marriage line, short sections of 2x4's nailed to post and structure
(2) the ridge beam undersized from the cut face of the rafters
(3) separation at the cut face to the ridge beam
(4) most of the rafters have mid span support braces nailed to the underside of the rafter but one area does not, several braces lying on floor of attic
(5) one lag bolt missed its mark on ridge beam
(6) no insulation down marriage line
And anything else you can depict from the photos
This is only my 2nd modular, no prints or instructions on site, advice needed Thanks

Originally Posted by mark petty

Do the following items appear suspect:
(1) the main center line posts where they attach at the marriage line, short sections of 2x4's nailed to post and structure
(2) the ridge beam undersized from the cut face of the rafters
(3) separation at the cut face to the ridge beam
(4) most of the rafters have mid span support braces nailed to the underside of the rafter but one area does not, several braces lying on floor of attic
(5) one lag bolt missed its mark on ridge beam
(6) no insulation down marriage line
And anything else you can depict from the photos
This is only my 2nd modular, no prints or instructions on site, advice needed Thanks

...........This is sloppy installation work - and where factory-built housing frequently suffers is on-site at the hands of poorly trained/uncaring installers. The rafter-splice reinforcement would be short pieces of material, sometimes 2X material and sometimes plywood, but always uniform in size and application and with a specified number of nails. The ridge is improper and looks to be a substitute made on the job site. There should be gasketing at the marriage wall, and may be there but out of sight below the top of the marriage beam - a quick probe would show if it's there. All ridge bolts should have had pilot holes drilled and then properly installed. It is more difficult to find the manufacturers name on a Mod as opposed to a HUD code, but if you could locate this, there would be a set of detailed installation specifications. In any event, you identified a number of poor installation practices which should be called out and if this is a new home the dealer should be involved with some remediation........Greg.

Originally Posted by Jim Abram

mark - There is something really wrong with this building . This is far more than sloppy installation. The space at the rafter ridge connection indicates something moved , probably the walls deflected outward. Unless you are structurally qualified , I would throw this one to a structural engineer.

Jim, Greg thank you both for your help; all documented and referred to specialist

I think you called it pretty well. The fit at the ridge and the cleats at the bottom of the vertical supports are very poorly installed. Without a set of plans you cannot verify details, but in this case calling for further evaluation is certainly justified.

Originally Posted by Jim Abram

mark - There is something really wrong with this building . This is far more than sloppy installation. The space at the rafter ridge connection indicates something moved , probably the walls deflected outward. Unless you are structurally qualified , I would throw this one to a structural engineer.

........Jim, having another pro look at this sure wouldn't hurt. But this is most assuredly an installation issue. If you were aware of the nuances regarding factory home construction and installation, you would realize that outward wall deflection is not (could not be) a contributing factor in this instance.......Greg

Originally Posted by Jim Abram

Please explain what you mean as your post does not make sense.

BTW - I was involved for many years inspecting factory construction and I did construct some buildings in a factory setting in the past. So , I know a little bit about it.

.......the ceiling joists (rafters) restrain the walls across the width of the house. If there was exterior wall deflection, as you incorrectly suggest, the marriage wall connection would show an excessive gap (and it does not). What could cause an excessively wide gap at the ridge, would be to have one or both halves out of level, with the home center being higher than the outside wall(s). If this disparity were caused by settlement (movement), there would be a host of other issues easily evident at the inspection. You probably won't believe this (and I don't care if you don't) but factory inspection has absolutely no relevance to field installation issues......Greg.

Originally Posted by Jim Abram

You are entitled to an opinion but, that does not entitle you to be rude and accusatory.

Mark did the right thing and any opinion without further investigation is just speculation.

.......you are right - Mark did the right thing, since he is not comfortable evaluating factory built housing. You are also right that what we're doing is speculation - although only one of us has enough knowledge on this particular subject to offer an educated opinion. As far as being rude and accusatory - I didn't intend to be rude, and do not have the slightest idea of what I was accusing you of. In any event, having read many of your other posts, I'm surprised to learn that you are such a sensitive guy .......Greg

Gussett plates like the ones used at the post (web member) connection to the top chord, probably would have been better at that bottom connection. Also, HVAC ductwork is improperly installed. Excessive amount of duct was used and has twists that restrict air flow.

- - - Updated - - -

Gussett plates like the ones used at the post (web member) connection to the top chord, probably would have been better at that bottom connection. Also, HVAC ductwork is improperly installed. Excessive amount of duct was used and has twists that restrict air flow.

Originally Posted by Luther Drye

Gussett plates like the ones used at the post (web member) connection to the top chord, probably would have been better at that bottom connection. Also, HVAC ductwork is improperly installed. Excessive amount of duct was used and has twists that restrict air flow.
.

..........Hi Luther, the gusset plates you're referring to are actually hinges. These hinges allow those posts (web member) to pull down and mate with the lower support. Remember, this is a mod and it is a hinged, lift-up roof..........Greg

Originally Posted by Gregory Booth

..........Hi Luther, the gusset plates you're referring to are actually hinges. These hinges allow those posts (web member) to pull down and mate with the lower support. Remember, this is a mod and it is a hinged, lift-up roof..........Greg

I honestly did not know that. Thank you very much.