Originally Posted By: rmeyers
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The phenomenon found in several configurations of standard type roof trusses where the bottom chord of the truss if buried in insulation and maintains stable temp & moisture content while the balance of the truss members are exposed to temp & moisture variations that cause the elements of the truss to work in such a way that the truss “Arches” or Lifts" off of the intermediate walls below causing tape or joint separation along the tops of the interior walls. (Can even lift interior walls!)
Had 2 severe cases in the last month! One pending litigation due to inaction of contractor to address issue on new home - 1 year warranty.
Second case discovered in 7 year old house I inspected in late May 2002. Freshly painted, looked great, BEWARE! Last week the current owners, my clients, called and wondered what could be causing all these cracks to develop. One look and my first thought was that we'd been had - how far away did the sellers move? Illinois does have a disclosure law and I don't honestly see how the previous owners could not have been aware of the condition since it obviously took a very concerted effort to conceal it!
(In their defense maybe they thought that was the fix?)
Current owners seem focussed on proper fix and not retribution, good people!
Proper fix includes nasty attic work cutting drywall loose from trusses and adding blocking for proper independent drywall nailing on tops of walls as needed. Then usually extensive drywall refinishing and painting.
Any additional comments, experiences, research, solutions, etc on this topic? Also known in it's earlier days as CFPS or Ceiling-Floor, Partition Separation!
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Russ Meyers