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Another Notch in the Belt

Well let me say that another notch in the belt is just fine (except for when there are no notches left and you have to just buy a bigger belt). But that's not what this post is about. It appears that some people treat trusses just like they do a belt... just add a notch.

notched truss

It looks like the HVAC contractor that installed this began to notch the truss (inside the red box) to fit the furnace in the attic. Maybe he realized what he was doing and then stopped? Regardless, a truss cannot be modified without a Professional Engineer's approval. Of course with me coming in years after the house was built, who knows if it was ever approved by a Professional Engineer? Maybe the original home owner might know? But of course this was a bank repo and the seller was not around anymore.

And in case I made a presumption that you are familiar with trusses, let me explain. A truss is the major support for the roof, therefore it's a serious issue.

On a side note, it's another reason to make sure the home inspector you hire will enter attics (when possible).

I hope this gives you a little more information about a home inspection and its value. Be safe out there.

Posted by Joseph Lang of Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection

Posted by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector on 04/14/2008 11:22 PM

Comments (18)

truss, home inspections, fontana home inspections, norco home inspections, corona home inspections, glendora home inspections

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18 Comments on Another Notch in the Belt

APR

2008

Wow, hopefully that HVAC guy isn't responsible for any roofs caving in!

I'm glad our HVAC systems are typically in the basement!!

APR

2008

So who sistered up that new green stud?

Just a slight mis calculation! lol

Your Friend in Charlottesville!

Good catch, Joseph!

Looks like the Boss came up and put a stop to the carpentry work.

Christopher, I hope not.

Tammy, I guess it's better to fall through the floor than to have the roof fall in on you :-)

Bobby, I'm guessing the builder but I don't know for sure.

Charles, when I was up there it didn't even look like the notching was necessary to get the unit in. Just a lazy guy I suppose.

Steve, thanks for stopping by.

Keith & Robin, that's what I think.

You are definitely right Joseph, buyers should always make sure that their inspector will go in the attic and of course in the crawl space as well, when they are accessible.

Also you've touched on a great point here regarding foreclosed properties. The bank never lived there and so has nothing to disclose to the buyers which just makes the need for a good home inspection that much greater.

Joseph, it is all part of the "get a bigger hammer" approach to building.

APR

2008

Looks like a notch job to me. What a shame people can't own up to the problems they cause others.

John, thanks for the comment.

Charles, I like that term.

Gene, they should take DNA evidence and track down the worker :-)

Plumbers are also notorious for notching beams, joists, and the like. It amazes me what people will do to a structure instead of finding the proper means to install something.

Yikes!!! Obviously one never wants to see a truss compromised, but how much would be acceptable? That only seems like a little amount, and much more would be bad, but is a little bit acceptable?

APR

2008

Jennifer, I agree.

Derek, I actually took the class "Statics" in college. That's where you evaluate static (non-moving) loads. A truss distributes the weight of the load throughout the truss system, therefore every component is going to carry some load. That's why only an engineer can okay a modification to a truss (no matter how small). I wouldn't take a chance with something like that.

Wow Joseph. It is amazing what some people do.

APR

2008

Richard, very true.

APR

2008

Joseph - very interesting! I guess based on that theory, even a hairline change can be HUGE. Good to know ... thanks.

APR

2008

Derek, it really depends. Remember, wood isn't perfect and may have slight cracks from drying out, etc. However, notching is a totally different issue.

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