Observed tiny holes bored in roof trusses for wiring passage. I had to peek under the catwalk board from the entry ladder to get this picture, sorry for the crumby quality. There are at least (5) ~3/8" holes drilled in what I can see. Although these don’t seem to substantially damage the integrity of the structure, my understanding of trusses is “DONT SCREW WITH TRUSSES!!!”
Am I correct to recommend a structural engineer to further review the trusses? or is that overkill for this instance?
Overkill!! Your client may ask you to refund the $600 + charge for the SE inspection.
Tom is correct. That is overkill…we live and learn, Michael. 
Unless there are more and bigger problems, I probably wouldn’t even comment on that.
Your not an SE. You do not inspect to code. The trusses were performing and will continue to do so. What is the consequence? None. In my opinion, I would either make a recommendation or move along.
Or, you could say, alterations must be approved by an engineer and you were not provided any documentation. Put it back on the seller.
Now, I do not operate in Texas, so you will probably know better than I do. But, this is what our SOP states.
I. The home inspection is based on the observations made on the date of the inspection, and not a prediction of future conditions.
II. The home inspection will not reveal every issue that exists or ever could exist, but only those material defects observed on the date of the inspection.
1.2. A material defect is a specific issue with a system or component of a residential property that may have a significant, adverse impact on the value of the property, or that poses an unreasonable risk to people. The fact that a system or component is near, at, or beyond the end of its normal, useful life is not, in itself, a material defect.
Okay, so you are on the fence with this one. You have received a few opinions and are still uncomfortable.
My problem with your narrative is that it makes no judgement. You are confusing the client.
So, back to the basics.
Report what you see - holes drilled - no visible cracking, settlement or sagging
Defect - Trusses should not be altered without SE or design professional approval
Now what are you going to recommend?
I would recommend the seller provide approved designs or evaluation by an SE.
This may give you justification
drilling_of_trussed_rafters.pdf (106.0 KB)
Yea, that slightly bothers me too. My boss told me, although it’s good to try to, i’m not required to recommend anything. As with anything I call out, the owners are responsible for exercising their own prerogative and discretion thereafter.
edit: and to be fair, my judgment is that it is not in satisfactory condition.
Well, I am not going to argue with your boss, but you knew enough to see the defect so you should now know a corrective action may be needed.
Not providing any guidance is more dangerous IMO because you have many other options. If the trusses fail, what did you do to transfer the responsibility to the customer?
Is the insulation above this “catwalk”?
The attic space was spray foam insulated.
These double stacked truss bottom cords are like this on all the trusses?
Yea, I was actually considering adding “corrective action may be considered” as a diplomatic way of saying “strucural engineer review”.
Good question. Maybe its just in this section of the attic. There is a second attic space that you walk into from the second floor. The attic space this is in is above the second floor by way of an attic ladder. Maybe the initial plan was to keep HVAC & water heater appliances up there? Furnace is in the walk in attic and tankless water heater is outside.
You’re not getting my point. Either call it out or don’t mention it. The customer will decide if they want to spend $600 on an SE. Your ambiguous statements are trouble makers.
After a second and third look I am going to have to agree with Thomas on this. This sure appears to be a non issue.
It appears that way to me too. But this brings me back to my question earlier: at what point does it become an issue? when the roof is caving in? everything ive ever read about truss alterations says “DONT DO IT!” it doesn’t say anything about size or severity of alterations. it says none, full stop.
Well without seeing the full picture of the attic. It does not appear that any of the drill holes are thru the bottom two by four of the bottom cord it appears to be on the top board of this double stacked catwalk. Which to me is an non issue. If it was thru the bottom cord I would agree with you but not with what I see in this picture.
I think you may have it backwards, IMO, you cannot drill into a rafter ever but some locations on bottom cords are ok.
I don’t know where you found that Brian but that is for that particular type of truss and is totally useless in this situation.
