Bad bracing

Rick Maday · 10-03-2007, 12:51 PM

Bad wood, bad install or too much weight above? Probably 30% of them were damaged one way or another - any ideas why?

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**Bruce Breedlove** · 10-03-2007, 12:59 PM

Is that X bracing between floor joists? If so, it's not the most critical part of the structure but the workmanship sure looks sloppy. Looks to me like they used scrap lumber (not necessarily a bad thing as long as the wood is solid) and they overnailed it causing splits.

**Rick Cantrell** · 10-03-2007, 01:01 PM

The pictures are small and dark, but it looks to me like the wood is split at the nails. Likley cause is the wood was too dry when it was installed. Dry wood splits easy. Also could be they used too big of nails, or both.

**Billy Stephens** · 10-03-2007, 01:06 PM

[quote=Rick Maday;20476]Bad wood, bad install Probably 30% of them were damaged one way or another[/quote

Rick,

Looks like too much pressure on the Nail gun and nail placement.

Some of those look like counter sunk 1/4 to 3/8in.

**Bruce Breedlove** · 10-03-2007, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

Looks like too much pressure on the Nail gun and nail placement.

Some of those look like counter sunk 1/4 to 3/8in.

They probably had the nail gun set for nailing through a 2X and at the tapered ends of the X bracing the wood is much thinner.

**Victor DaGraca** · 10-03-2007, 02:32 PM

Bad workmanship.
All wood will split when nailed that close to the edge with 10P nails.
The butcher didn't bother to remove what he messed up... and just kept on going.
His reasoning? "Can't see it from my house..."

**Darren Miller** · 10-03-2007, 05:31 PM

What's the problem...the bridging is an up-grade, not required.

Darren

**Billy Stephens** · 10-03-2007, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Darren Miller

What's the problem...the bridging is an up-grade, not required.

Darren

Daren,

Wouldn't the need for bridging be determined by the Load and Span?

**Darren Miller** · 10-04-2007, 04:37 PM

Billy,

Let me claify; 2006 NJ IRC sec 502.7.1 states bridging required if joists are at least 2 x 12 nominal.

Darren

New Jersey Home Inspection - About the House!

**Billy Stephens** · 10-04-2007, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Darren Miller

Billy,

Let me claify; 2006 NJ IRC sec 502.7.1 states bridging required if joists are at least 2 x 12 nominal.

Darren

New Jersey Home Inspection - About the House!

Darren,

IRC 2003 has the same requirement.(Correction IRC507.7.1 Joists exceeding a nominal 2 inches by 12 inches shall be supported by ect)

With the limited information and pictures we have , if they were in the house plans, looks like similar age of material they would be required for whatever the reason.

Not within my scope to dismiss,just report what I saw.

**Rolland Pruner** · 10-05-2007, 08:01 PM

Rick:
Me being an old carpenter, what causes this is the nails were not dulled at the points, this cause smaller wood sections of wood to split.
Most likley a newbie carpenter. This appears to be 2x12? joists

I recommend repair properly by an applicable contractor (good carpenter)

Rolland Pruner

Brandon Chew · 10-06-2007, 06:48 AM

The cross bracing serves two main purposes. It will help stiffen the floor so it is a little less bouncy when you walk on it. When you are using taller lumber for joists, such as 2X12 and up, it keeps the joists from rotating at the midpoint of the span when the load is applied to the floor above them.