Cut trusses

[sphillips1 (Skyler Phillips)]

I know that the top and bottom off the truss cannot be cut, but when the new roof was installed the roofer cut everyone of them when installing the Ridge vent. I didn’t see any affecting issues from these cuts. What should I advise my client? Is the location of the cut ok since it’s at the top?

[btoye (Bradley Toye, CMI)]

I don’t see a real issue with that overcut. Sloppy and unprofessional, but not a structural defect. I see it all the time, and some are much worse when cutting into the gusset. I do flag the bad ones. Your call on whether you think the client should be notified.

[sfetty (Dave Fetty, CMI)]

@btoye

I don’t see a real issue with that overcut. Sloppy and unprofessional, but not a structural defect. I see it all the time, and some are much worse when cutting into the gusset. I do flag the bad ones. Your call on whether you think the client should be notified.

I agree… If the same rules for cutting joists are applicable then there should not be an issue.

[sphillips1 (Skyler Phillips)]

Thanks guys.

[kleonard (Kevin Leonard, CPI/CMI)]

@sphillips1

I know that the top and bottom off the truss cannot be cut, but when the new roof was installed the roofer cut everyone of them when installing the Ridge vent. I didn’t see any affecting issues from these cuts. What should I advise my client? Is the location of the cut ok since it’s at the top?

Unless you’re a Structural Engineer and put in writing that this modification is acceptable, you should be recommending one whenever you find this condition.

Scroll down to “alterations”.

http://www.ashireporter.org/homeinspection/articles/inspecting-wood-trusses/1213

[rcooke (Roy D. Cooke, Sr)]

@kleonard

Unless you’re a Structural Engineer and put in writing that this modification is acceptable, you should be recommending one whenever you find this condition.

Scroll down to “alterations”.

http://www.ashireporter.org/homeinspection/articles/inspecting-wood-trusses/1213

Good one thanks Kevin Much appreciated

[spayson (Stephen Payson, CMI)]

There’s no problem with that saw cut. That cut cord is supported by the web. The saw cut pictured in Kevin’s article is in the middle of the run. Two completely different situations. I wouldn’t make an issue out of it.

[frotte (Frank Rotte)]

@spayson

There’s no problem with that saw cut. That cut cord is supported by the web. The saw cut pictured in Kevin’s article is in the middle of the run. Two completely different situations. I wouldn’t make an issue out of it.

I agree.

[mcyr (Marcel Cyr, CMI)]

That kerf on an engineered truss don’t bother me, but the cut out for the ridge vent should be 2" both sides of the ridge appex.

And if you see something like this, and like this, you need to start writing hard. :)

[sfetty (Dave Fetty, CMI)]

What! Did they use a chainsaw?

[mcyr (Marcel Cyr, CMI)]

That’s what I said when I saw that. The client did not buy it.

[rmayo (Randy Mayo, P.E.)]

I don’t see any issue with this small cut. Safety factors build into the design of a truss take in to account variations in loading and commons errors in construction. Also the redundancy of multiple trusses will help distribute the load of a weak or damaged truss to the adjacent trusses.

[kleonard (Kevin Leonard, CPI/CMI)]

@rmayo

I don’t see any issue with this small cut. Safety factors build into the design of a truss take in to account variations in loading and commons errors in construction. Also the redundancy of multiple trusses will help distribute the load of a weak or damaged truss to the adjacent trusses.

Thanks Randy