Oh bummer nice work guys but no winner this week. Y’all sure went above and beyond especially the framing question. Just as an FYI there were so many framing issues I did advise that a full framing review be performed by the Builder’s Engineer.
Answers for the questions:
Answer 1: Pocket formers are not properly seated against form boards to seal and prevent concrete from entering them (PTI 5.2.4 and 5.2.5). To correct this only requires a proper angled pocket former such as seen on page 9 of this manufacturer’s catalog http://precision-hayes.com/pdfs/001_16-030000414_PHI_Concrete_Stressing_Brochure_web.pdf
Post Tension Institute Construction And Maintenance Manual For Post-Tensioned Slab-On-Ground Foundations SectionS
5.2.4
Where non-encapsulated anchorages are used, it is recommended that a small amount of PT coating or all-purpose grease be applied to the tapered tip of the pocket former that fits into the wedge cavity; refer to Fig. 5.3. This will help prevent any concrete slurry/paste from entering the wedge cavity during concrete placement. Place the pocket former in the anchor cavity and install the complete assembly in the drilled hole.
DO NOT allow the PT coating or all-purpose grease to cover any part of the pocket former that comes into contact with the concrete. This will prevent the concrete patch material used to fill the stressing pocket recess after stressing from bonding to the original concrete.
Care should be taken to assure the proper fit of the pocket former in the wedge cavity. Any pocket former that will allow concrete slurry/paste to enter the wedge cavity should be rejected.
5.2.5
Securely nail the anchor to the form using 20d nails or equivalent. It is extremely important that the stressing anchors are securely attached to the forms, as shown in Fig. 5.4. If they are not, concrete slurry/paste could enter the wedge cavity, resulting in possible excessive wedge seating loss or ruptured tendons during the stressing operation. The installer should plan ahead, selecting the proper location for fixed and stressing anchorages. If flatwork (such as walkways, drives, and patios) will interfere with the stressing operation, the fixed and stressing anchorages should be reversed. In slab-on-ground foundations, the horizontal location of anchors may be adjusted up to 12 in (300 mm). However, the vertical location of the anchorages should be maintained within the tolerance specified in Section 5.8 while maintaining a minimum of 1-1/2 in (40 mm) of concrete cover over any edge of the anchor.
Answer 2: Built-up ceiling support beams are not being properly hung/attached to each other.
These are the two beams that were 45 Degree cut and only face nailed to the beam running left/right. There were plenty of other framing errors in that area but I specifically centered the picture on those two as a hint.
R502.6 Bearing. The ends of each joist, beam or girder shall have not less than 1 1 / 2 inches (38 mm) of bearing on wood or metal, have not less than 3 inches of bearing (76 mm) on masonry or concrete or be supported by approved joist hangers. Alternatively, the ends of joists shall be supported on a 1-inch by 4-inch (25 mm by 102 mm) ribbon strip and shall be nailed to the adjacent stud. The bearing on masonry or concrete shall be direct, or a sill plate of 2-inch-minimum (51 mm) nominal thickness shall be provided under the joist, beam or girder. The sill plate shall provide a minimum nominal bearing area of 48 square inches (30 865 mm 2 ).
Answer 3: The main two issues are as follows.
- The cabling has been improperly run in/through an attic ventilation vent. Although not seen here the installer drilled through the vertical flashing collar to route his cabling and did not even bother to use grommets and sealers. This antenna sits approximately 12’ - 15’ off the attic floor and faces South (the direction of our prevailing winds and many strong storms). This condition is conducive to water penetration into the attic. There are no manufacturers of this type venting that approves of this type field modification for any reason.
- The antenna base mounting bolts have not been driven fully and flush and have not been sealed over, both to help prevent water penetrations around their threads. Hardware is made corrosion resistant and not corrosion proof. Even treated hardware can and usually does corrode. When that occurs bolts can expand and start backing out of the decking. Additionally sealing over the bolts helps prevent slow water penetrations around bolt threads and into the decking which can weaken that point as well.
Answer 4: Zurn does not rate this valve for applications where it can be submersed. Zurn requires this valve to be installed 12” above any flood condition or be located in a sealed pit that either fully drains or prevents submersion of the valve. You can find this on their WEB site here https://www.zurn.com/products/water-control/pressure-reducing-valves/70xl .
In new construction this is covered under IRC P2609.2. In any construction or situation this is covered by the manufacturer’s installation and rating requirements noted above.
P2609.2 Installation of materials. Materials used shall be installed in strict accordance with the standards under which the materials are accepted and approved. In the absence of such installation procedures, the manufacturer’s instructions shall be followed. Where the requirements of referenced standards or manufacturer’s instructions do not conform to the minimum provisions of this code, the provisions of this code shall apply.
Answer 5: The gutter on the right has been extended to far back and is in the path of the valley water flow. That can cause water to be splashed back under the dormer’s soffit. This is a potential water penetration issue. The gutter position on the left is questionable. Due to the house design and the height of that eave section neither of these could be clearly seen from the ground.
Extra Credit question and not needed to win.
Answer: Every image used should provide a perspective that can allow the client to easily identify the issues location or a second picture taken further out should be used. This can easily reduce the need to take calls from clients asking “Hey where is that located?”.
