I have never run across truss webbing that was connected using staples. The joints were tight but didn’t seem proper. This was only done in a few locations, the rust had the proper gusset plates, although some of those had nails in them let someone was trying to reinforce them. Happy Sunday.
I would recommend a structural engineer to verify the integrity of the roof system with different attachments and modifications like that. IMHO
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Thanks Larry, I was thinking the same thing.
Unless there is an existing paper work approving this… what Larry said.
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It is common to add additional truss supports when adding a lay on roof.
Looks to me like they were just infilling vertical framing within an existing truss for some purpose. Appears framing at 2’ o. c. Definitely not structural.
Picture of the surrounding or farther away may help.
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firewall/separation?..
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Jason, are those really trusses, or did someone attach some webbing to the joists and rafters? Adding webs to joists and rafters does not make a truss.
Do you have any pictures of a larger area (not so close up) that show the larger assembly?
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As Marcel said.
Did the original builder use a standard truss for a gable, then added fill in nailers for siding to attach to? Then someone came along and built a room addition on that end? Without more and better pictures that’s the only thing I’ve got.
I can see a gusset plate connecting an upper chord and web in the background, if this is indeed a truss, and without seeing the whole thing it’s hard to say for sure, but I’m leaning in the direction that it is, then it’s a modified truss that would require a SE for further evaluation.
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Adding blocking for additional aid for another purpose is not modifying a truss nor altering its capacity to perform its intended purpose. Any contractor familiar with truss framing would know that and make the recommendation for a SE an unnecessary expenditure for the client.
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Yea, we’ll once again have to disagree. Any Home Inspector familiar with the inspection of a truss or a truss system knows that any modification to a truss, and that includes blocking for additional aid for any other purpose, or any other modification, requires a SE buy off.
So unless there’s engineering drawings with a “PE” stamp attached to the modified truss with the modification in writing, further evaluation by a SE should be recommended.
Mastering Roof Inspections: Roof Framing, Part 3 - InterNACHI®
Trusses should never, ever be structurally altered in any way without approval from a structural engineer. If you see trusses which have been cut or reinforced, recommend evaluation by a structural engineer.
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I don’t’ see any of the above in the OP’s picture, so your defense in this is moot.
Apparently, you have a hard time determining what structurally altered means.
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None of us where there and know what actually went on. But, the nails into the gusset plates could, very well, be enough of an issue for an engineer to assess…maybe they’re were twisted during installation. And it seems like vintage inspectors would be of like mind. LOL!
So, without seeing more of it, it seems there is a bunch of just guessing. IMHO
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No doubt there is guessing on why things were done the way they since you’re correct in that none of us were there. I already made my mind up for the SE to evaluate but wanted to see what additional info fellow inspectors had on the topic. Thank you for the input.
Excellent, Jeff! And you are welcome. YOU were there… 
I don’t have a hard time with it at all, this ain’t rocket science.
I agree with the definition of “structurally altered” that you’ll find below. The key words being “any change”. Any change would include stapling or nailing webs, blocks, supports (not to be confused with lateral supports required by the truss mfr.), or anything else, to a truss.
Structural alteration means any change to the supporting members of a building including foundations, bearing walls, or partitions, columns, beams or girders, or any structural change in the roof or in the exterior walls.
Site built trusses… SE.
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