Inspectorjoe Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 I had a one year warranty inspection today. Several of the rafters were shimmed at the ridge beam. I couldn't see the endbearing because insulation blocked that area and the path to it. The house had a really complex roof structure, all conventional rafters. This section was maybe 10-12 feet wide but the rafters were easily 20 feet long. There's a slate roof on the plywood sheathing. Is this a problem? If so, what's the fix? Thanks, Download Attachment: IMG_0146.JPG 126.01 KB[/img] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bernhardt Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 When the rafters were installed, full bearing against the ridge board was required. As far as a code compliant repair I don't see why one can't install a bearing plate made out of plywood or OSB or a 1"x and fasten everything together with a proper framing connector/hanger etc. If the end of the rafter was split then a code compliant repair might call for sistering up another rafter from point of bearing to point of bearing. However the code gods might say different. Chris, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 I must admit I have never seen shims used like that! I don't have a clue as to what needs to be done or how it could be done. The more I look at that I just have to wonder if the rafters pulled away from the weight of the shingles after the roof was on. And what is that copper line along the bottom of the ridge? Please don't tell me that this from a lighting rod! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bernhardt Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 I didn't look very carefully the first time and I missed that the ridge board is not deep enough either! Chris, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Hockstein Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 It looks to me like the framer cut the rafters too short and this was the "Solution" to the problem. This should have been caught during the framing inspection, full bearing is required at the ridge. Are there collar ties? Knee walls? Are there any signs of movement? Sags? A 20 foot rafter span is very long, especially when it snows. More info and analysis are needed to determine the proper fix. It is a problem but it may not be an expensive repair. Too many variables to accurately answer what is needed. Good catch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bernhardt Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Can't see any fasteners. 2 -16D's required. Were they just on the other side of the rafters? Theres one rafter sistered. Why? and was that done properly. Chris, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 It's a very low pitched roof for slate and considering the spans mentioned, looks underbuilt. The ridge as previously stated should be deeper and the rafters should be bearing fully against the ridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inspectorjoe Posted November 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 And what is that copper line along the bottom of the ridge? Please don't tell me that this from a lighting rod! OK Scott, I won't tell you that. Btw, do you have any idea of what these thin, rod-like metal things attached to the chimney pots might be? [] Download Attachment: DSC00950.JPG 130.44 KB I didn't look very carefully the first time and I missed that the ridge board is not deep enough either! At least they got close on that one. Now this is bad: Download Attachment: IMG_0147.JPG 109.92 KB Are there collar ties? Knee walls? No knee walls, but there are fullsize collar ties (which is somewhat of a rarity around here). Can't see any fasteners. 2 -16D's required. Were they just on the other side of the rafters? They were end nailed. You can see a nail in the closer one. Theres one rafter sistered. Why? and was that done properly. Yikes! I didn't even see that. I can't imagine why they'd sister two pieces of 3/4" stock. I sure had my hands full today. I spent about an hour on the roof alone. Lovely workmanship for $1,800,000 eh? Download Attachment: IMG_0117.JPG 134.07 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted November 7, 2006 Report Share Posted November 7, 2006 Joe, that is a mess. It looks like an idiot installed the lighting arrestor system along with the roof and their twin idiot sibling was the framing contractor! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 I'm currently in a argument with a builder over this same situation, i.e. multiple rafters have no bearing whatever on the ridge board. I've searched our state code--which is wicked similar to CABO--and can find nothing which definitively states that the rafters must fully bear against the ridge. Does anyone know of any codes or standards of practice that mandate a positive connection? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingfoot Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 IRC R802.3 Framing Details. Rafters shall be framed to ridge board or to each other with a gusset plate as a tie. Ridge board shall be at least 1-inch nominal thickness and not less in depth than the end cut of the rafter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 Thanks, Bobby. That's what our state code says, as well. But it's a little vague when it comes to the degree of bearing, which is why the builder's being contentious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted November 17, 2006 Report Share Posted November 17, 2006 Hi, Ask the builder to show the homeowner one illustration in any framing book where it shows rafters not bearing fully on a ridge board with full contact. He won't be able to. It's not a joint unless there is full contact. If the builder is defending that kind of workmanship, he's an idiot and an incompetent hack. Better yet, tell him to pose that question on my building science forum on JLC and I'll tell him that personally. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 I actually found this late last night. It explains the hows of rafter/ridge bearing and also includes a diagram. John http://www.awc.org/HelpOutreach/eCourse ... 8-Roof.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Hi Barry, Thanks, I just archived that link in our downloads library. To get to it and other cool downloads, pass your cursor over "resources" on the menu bar above and then click on 'downloads'. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Barry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Whoops, My bad. Sorry John. OT - OF!!! M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesse Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 "Barry" is nice. Keep it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nspctrdan Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 I'm sure you noted it but just in case....the chimneys need to have crowns installed on them. I'd hate to be the original home inspector on that one. Looks like he is in for a earful after the owner get's your one year bldrs warranty report. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted November 18, 2006 Report Share Posted November 18, 2006 Hi, What do you mean "crowns"? How can you tell from that angle that there isn't a wash cap crown on the top of each of those stacks? Or are you referring to spark arrestors? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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