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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Chandler, AZ
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    121

    Default Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    Hi Guys and gals!

    I did an inspection last week and called out a couple of trusses that were cut in the attic. I mentioned that cut trusses should be repaired properly, and may have a engineer stamp on them (At least that is what I have read - I don't come across cut trusses - my first in 4 years)
    Anywho, does anyone know of a contractor of company in the Phoenix area that can repair and/or verify a cut truss repair?

    One of those learning experiences we all go through. The sellers agent is asking me how to verify that the repairs were done correctly, and I'd like to supply a few names. I mentioned a Structural Engineer, but the Realtor said "That is cost prohibitive". I felt like say, "hey, I'm not the guy that cut the trusses!"

    Any help would be appreciated.
    Thank you!
    Thanks!

    Crawl Space Creeper
    Dave Hill
    Buyers & Sellers Property Inspections LLC
    WWW.BuyersSellersPi.Com

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Mesa AZ
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    1,181

    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Hill View Post
    Hi Guys and gals!

    I did an inspection last week and called out a couple of trusses that were cut in the attic. I mentioned that cut trusses should be repaired properly, and may have a engineer stamp on them (At least that is what I have read - I don't come across cut trusses - my first in 4 years)
    Anywho, does anyone know of a contractor of company in the Phoenix area that can repair and/or verify a cut truss repair?

    One of those learning experiences we all go through. The sellers agent is asking me how to verify that the repairs were done correctly, and I'd like to supply a few names. I mentioned a Structural Engineer, but the Realtor said "That is cost prohibitive". I felt like say, "hey, I'm not the guy that cut the trusses!"

    Any help would be appreciated.
    Thank you!
    Thanks!
    Hi Dave.
    Check with R& K building supplies. R & K Building Supplies - Products & Services, Phoenix Building Materials
    It looks like they have contractors that may be able to check it.

    Duffy sent me a name of this company if it needs to be designed
    Flipe Babbitt at Babbit/Nelson Engineering…602-430-1832

    Phoenix AZ Resale Home, Mobile Home, New Home Warranty Inspections. ASHI Certified Inspector #206929 Arizona Certified Inspector # 38440
    www.inspectaz.com

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Peoria Arizona
    Posts
    79

    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    Dave,

    We have 4+ truss companies in the Glendale/Peoria area. I refer buyers to them and tell them to call and ask for their service department.

    From the buyer’s feedback that I have gotten, the truss company will send an engineer out to evaluate and design repairs if need be for around $200-$300. Then it cost another $200-$300 to have the truss company come out and do the repairs.

    I often hear of the total cost being $500-$600 to have 1 or 2 trusses repaired.

    You might want to look for a couple of trusses companies in your area to help with keeping the trip charges to a minimum.

    Jeff
    .


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Fredericksburg, VA
    Posts
    895

    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    It SHOULD be a Structural Engineer or a qualified and certified truss designer who designs and certifies that repairs were made as directed. I recommend to people to: 1) Keep the certification as part of the property documentation like deed, mortgage papers, etc. 2) Place a copy in a zip-loc bag or seal plastic cover and staple it to a truss on or near the repair truss. In the future, an inspector who might see the repairs will see the certification and only needs to report that truss repairs and a repair certification were observed in the attic. Becomes a non-issue.

    The big builders are often furnished with a book of common truss damage repair designs by their supplier(s). If the builder repairs the truss, it still should be certified that the repair meets or exceeds the repair design requirements, stamped and/or signed by the supplier's rep.

    The above statements are expressed solely as my opinion and in all probability will conflict with someone else's.
    Stu, Fredericksburg VA

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Lansdale, PA
    Posts
    876

    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave Hill View Post
    Hi Guys and gals!

    I did an inspection last week and called out a couple of trusses that were cut in the attic. I mentioned that cut trusses should be repaired properly, and may have a engineer stamp on them (At least that is what I have read - I don't come across cut trusses - my first in 4 years)
    Anywho, does anyone know of a contractor of company in the Phoenix area that can repair and/or verify a cut truss repair?

    One of those learning experiences we all go through. The sellers agent is asking me how to verify that the repairs were done correctly, and I'd like to supply a few names. I mentioned a Structural Engineer, but the Realtor said "That is cost prohibitive". I felt like say, "hey, I'm not the guy that cut the trusses!"

    Any help would be appreciated.
    Thank you!
    Thanks!
    Tell the Realtor that the code requires truss repairs to be designed by an engineer or truss designer. Once you find an engineer familiar with truss repairs it is not a big deal. Very few contractors even come close to proper repairs, unless they have seen quite a few truss repair drawings.


  6. #6
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    Sep 2007
    Location
    Fredericksburg, VA
    Posts
    895

    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Reinmiller View Post
    Tell the Realtor that the code requires truss repairs to be designed by an engineer or truss designer. Once you find an engineer familiar with truss repairs it is not a big deal. Very few contractors even come close to proper repairs, unless they have seen quite a few truss repair drawings.
    I've seen a few of those. Some come pretty close but not enough. I usually can tell by the number and size of nails used to make a repair. Of course, there's the guys who nail a piece of 2x4 to the truss as a short doubler. The trouble is the project manager sends some carpenter up who probably can't read the detail instructions and he nails up a piece of plywood or OSB to the truss.

    The above statements are expressed solely as my opinion and in all probability will conflict with someone else's.
    Stu, Fredericksburg VA

  7. #7
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    Mar 2012
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    Lansdale, PA
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    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    Quote Originally Posted by Stuart Brooks View Post
    I've seen a few of those. Some come pretty close but not enough. I usually can tell by the number and size of nails used to make a repair. Of course, there's the guys who nail a piece of 2x4 to the truss as a short doubler. The trouble is the project manager sends some carpenter up who probably can't read the detail instructions and he nails up a piece of plywood or OSB to the truss.
    Plywood or OSB gusset plates are a common repair for damaged truss joints. They work fine. OSB is better than plywood for this application. The nailing and the size of the gusset plates is where I see the most mistakes. It is not uncommon to need about 6 to 8 or even way more nails per member with 10d nails extending through both gusset plates and clinched. It can be twice as many or more when nailed from both sides. To get that many nails into a member the gusset plates can get quite large.


  8. #8
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    Mar 2007
    Location
    Oregon
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    2,365

    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Reinmiller View Post
    Plywood or OSB gusset plates are a common repair for damaged truss joints. They work fine. OSB is better than plywood for this application. The nailing and the size of the gusset plates is where I see the most mistakes. It is not uncommon to need about 6 to 8 or even way more nails per member with 10d nails extending through both gusset plates and clinched. It can be twice as many or more when nailed from both sides. To get that many nails into a member the gusset plates can get quite large.
    I'm curious.... could you elaborate on why OSB is favorable to plywood. I would have guessed the other way around.

    As for the OP, I specify engineer or truss manufacturer to evaluate and make repairs. I've heard the "it's too expensive" argument also and my response is pretty much what you say. Send the bill to the guy with the saw


  9. #9
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    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt Fellman View Post
    I'm curious.... could you elaborate on why OSB is favorable to plywood. I would have guessed the other way around.

    As for the OP, I specify engineer or truss manufacturer to evaluate and make repairs. I've heard the "it's too expensive" argument also and my response is pretty much what you say. Send the bill to the guy with the saw
    OSB is better because it is considered denser most plywood and therefore nails have a higher capacity. Also, the shear strength is greater than plywood, which can be a factor is sizing the gusset plates.


  10. #10
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    Mar 2007
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    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
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    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    When I see cut trusses, I tell them the repair needs to be designed by a structural engineer or a field rep for the manufacturer of the trusses. I'm sure most do not follow my recommendations because they want to save money.

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  11. #11
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    Mar 2007
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    Lake Barrington, IL
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    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Reinmiller View Post
    the shear strength is greater than plywood, which can be a factor is sizing the gusset plates.
    It's my understanding (without looking it up) that the cross lamination of plywood makes for a stronger product than OSB. I'm quite sure I'm right about this.

    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  12. #12
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    Mar 2012
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    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Barker View Post
    It's my understanding (without looking it up) that the cross lamination of plywood makes for a stronger product than OSB. I'm quite sure I'm right about this.
    Eric, As an example, looking at 23/32" or 3/4" OSB versus plywood, the shear strengths are 215 versus 96. The axial tensile strength of plywood is better is one orientation and worse in the other than OSB. The axial compressive strength of plywood is about 50 percent higher than OSB, but that is not too important for gusset plates.

    The real advantage of the OSB is the strength of the nails. Looking at a 0.131 nail in a joint using an OSB gusset plate with a HEM-FIR chord or web, the capacity would be 83 pound versus 70 pounds. that is about 19 percent higher. Since gusset plate repairs usually need quite a few nails I try to do what I can to reduce the number of nails.


  13. #13
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    Jul 2010
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    Summerville, South Carolina
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    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    I recommend and prefer plywood for truss gussets....it is much stronger in the vertical position than osb. Try this test - Take a 1/2 piece of plywood and osb. Rip them down to 7" strips. Set your saw horses up 7' apart. Slam the osb on top the saw horses. It will break quite easily. Do the same thing with the plywood. It will not break no matter how hard you slam it. OSB seems to be stiffer however when laid across joists being used as subfloor. In that orientation plywood can be made to bend to fit almost a circle without breaking. Osb will snap.


  14. #14
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    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ray Thornburg View Post
    I recommend and prefer plywood for truss gussets....it is much stronger in the vertical position than osb. Try this test - Take a 1/2 piece of plywood and osb. Rip them down to 7" strips. Set your saw horses up 7' apart. Slam the osb on top the saw horses. It will break quite easily. Do the same thing with the plywood. It will not break no matter how hard you slam it. OSB seems to be stiffer however when laid across joists being used as subfloor. In that orientation plywood can be made to bend to fit almost a circle without breaking. Osb will snap.
    Regardless of you tests, there is published approved test data for both materials. As an engineer I need to use that data. I can't recommend using something based upon what I might think is better. A lot of people think deck screws are better than nails for structural use. They are wrong too.

    Also, your experiment would basically test impact strength, which is not something a truss joint typically sees in service.


  15. #15
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    Jul 2010
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    Summerville, South Carolina
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    116

    Default Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Reinmiller View Post
    Regardless of you tests, there is published approved test data for both materials. As an engineer I need to use that data. I can't recommend using something based upon what I might think is better. A lot of people think deck screws are better than nails for structural use. They are wrong too.

    Also, your experiment would basically test impact strength, which is not something a truss joint typically sees in service.
    You make a good point and I certainly I would not suggest someone go against unbiased independent test data especiallly when designing structural components. I believe both products are allowed to be used for similar purposes. It just make me uneasy to see a product used in a vertical application like that which snaps in half so easily (really easy). Try it ..... you'll see what I mean.


  16. #16
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    Jan 2011
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    Guelph,Ontario
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    173

    Smile Re: Cut Truss - who can verify repairs?

    I also believe plywood is better for repairs,it is stronger overall and less likely to fail.


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