Truss

Let me list for you the definitions of the word "truss," and you tell me the commonality among them.  From Oxford.

1 Framework of rafters, posts, and struts which supports a roof, bridge or other structure
2 A padded belt worn against the skin to support a hernia
3 A large projection of stone or timber, typically one supporting a cornice
4 A compact cluster of flowers or fruits growing on a single, supportive stalk

If you guessed that the commonality is SUPPORT, you would be right!

The purpose(s) of a truss is SUPPORT.

I received a call the other day from a Realtor I had never met.  He found me on line.  He had seen my blog posts on problems with properties purchased from Flippers.

The house his client is buying is not near my house, virtually opposite me on the Washington beltway.

It is a long drive, and in total an inspection would take a lot of time.

However, I had a day completely free and he said two things that swayed me into not referring him to someone else:

1.  The buyer is a young, single, female teacher
2.  The house is a flipped property

Growing up in a household with a brother and mother, I watched my mother get taken time and time again by unscrupulous people.  I vowed as a kid that I would help single women when I could.

AND I DO.

Secondly, I am so fed up with Flippers I could scream.  On the phone the Realtor said this house boasted of lots of things, all "new," "safe," "to code," etc.

The features list said, "Entirely new roof with electric ventilation fan."

The shingles were new, and not all well placed.  Judging from the various, and I mean VARIOUS, rotting locations of the sheathing the roof was not entirely new.  And the attic fan, you can see in the photo, was not even hooked up electrically and was very old.  The duct work is coming apart, as duct tape, we all know, does not work.  And the duct work and its insulation is coming apart ALL OVER THE PLACE.

But, you can see, in the middle of the photo, that the shingle nailers (because they weren't roofers) cracked a truss.  How can I tell?  Because the roof on this 1977 house had turned a bit darker tan with time.  The crack in the truss is very fresh.  You can see the bright color there.

This is not SAFE because this truss provides no SUPPORT.  I can read that the definitions of the word truss share the word SUPPORT between them.  This spot is a danger to anyone standing thereon.

This photo represents three of the MANY, MANY problems this house would have presented to this buyer.

My recommendation:  especially when you see boasts about repairs, or if a Flipper is involved, be certain you get a home inspection prior to purchase.  Home inspectors are objective and there to help.  Flippers don't like us much, but that is BESIDE the point.