Skagit County Home Inspection (King of the House): Trusses

Engineered trusses. They are so common in modern homes. And since they are engineered by professionals, with numerous degrees, a home inspector has nothing bad to say about them. Except, if they have been damaged or altered. This might seem picky but even the manufacturer of the trusses is not authorized to recommend repairs when a truss has had chords removed or any structural wood cut. The truss manufacturer has two suggestions: Put it back as it was exactly, or have an engineer come in and figure out what to do. That, of course costs about $1000.00 usually. Trusses are most often cut near the attic hatch, especially when fold down stairs are present. Here are a couple photos. The one on the left has had a chord removed. Look to the right to see what it should look like. This was removed to make room for easily accessing the attic to work. Is the house going to fall down, probably not. But an inspector has to call this as requiring the services of a PE....or at least someone who can put it back exactly as it was.

Thanks for looking,

Steven L. Smith

www.kingofthehouse.com