Notches

bhartley · July 20, 2009, 9:21pm

This house was built in 2004. Those are very large notches. Where was the local AHJ???

Thanks!!!

mlarson · July 20, 2009, 9:23pm

Unless I’m missing something I don’t see a problem.

lkage · July 20, 2009, 9:30pm

I get the same view from Lake Ann.

bhartley · July 20, 2009, 11:00pm

Tell me why?? There is no problem?? I am still learning.

Thanks!!

jmckee · July 20, 2009, 11:03pm

just what exactly is Your concern Buck?..I’m having trouble seeing a problem also…maybe it is just the picture…you were there what are you thinking?

mlarson · July 20, 2009, 11:10pm

What I see is a notched rim joist.

It’s not going to fall down even though it may look a bit odd.

They ran the pvc up the 3-1/2" outside stud wall.

mroberson · July 20, 2009, 11:15pm

Is this an interior wall?

I can only assume on your picture several things

Interior wall, perhaps back of a stairwell? There is a wall on the top of this rim joist for the duct work and drain to run in. If there is, the 2x4 plate should span this just fine. Im sure this is a case of the framers saying “… There that ought ta do it…” and the plumber and HVAC guy saying “… what were they thinking… now I gotta cut a notch…”

rmaday · July 20, 2009, 11:19pm

If that were one of the floor joists, you’d have an issue.

Think about what is carrying the load.

lkage · July 20, 2009, 11:21pm

With the rigid insulation, it appears to be an exterior wall and you can bet that the complete bottom plate is missing at the heat run.

But, no matter, because the rim joist has continuous bearing and the studs and joists are stacked. What I see there is not a problem.

mlarson · July 20, 2009, 11:25pm

That’s what I see from my front porch as well.

jmckee · July 20, 2009, 11:30pm

and from my office as well…

bhartley · July 20, 2009, 11:43pm

There is an interior wall above the notches. There are strange looking uneven areas in the sheet rock. I think I will defer this to a qualified contractor.

Thanks!!

mlarson · July 20, 2009, 11:48pm

Need more info Buck.

It doesn’t look like an interior wall with the CMU below it.

You were there what else did you see?

bhartley · July 20, 2009, 11:58pm

On the other side is the family room.

Richard_A.Hetzel · July 21, 2009, 12:34am

It isn’t a structural member, so the notches have no deleterious effect. Not a problem.

bhartley · July 21, 2009, 12:42am

Thanks! For all your help. I still think it SMELLS. I called it out.

Again, thanks, this a great place to learn.

jmckee · July 21, 2009, 12:56am

well you were there Buck and We weren’t…You would be the best judge …from here it looked just fine from that picture…

bdoles2 · July 21, 2009, 12:57am

You called it out - What did you recommend? Complete removal of exterior siding to replace rim joist?

kshepard · July 21, 2009, 6:01am

Notched rim joist not a structural problem. That rim joist is in compression, not tension. How’s it going to fail?

I wouldn’t be very happy with the fact that the framers didn’t put studs on the breaks in the top plate and the breaks between the top plate and the framer’s plate (upper top plate) are less than 4’ apart. I don’t see any toenails through the joists into the top plate, either. Those are framing *quality *issues.

The walls were carrying a structural load, were they laterally braced with diagonal braces or shear panel?

The joists stack nice and neatly above the studs, though. Looks like sheathing is glued to joists.

What is the material on the far side of that framed wall? It doesn’t look like concrete or CMU.

mharris6 · July 23, 2009, 2:31pm

Buck, I also don’t see a problem with the notched rim joist, I would doubt that this framing in the provided photo has anything to do with the unevenness in the drywall above.