There are a few signs of minor structural movement on the exterior of the
house typical for home this age. So I go into attic above the garage and notice that the truss seem to be rotating/ bowing at the web members above the garage area
Is this typ. of trusses? Does anyone have a good wright up for twisted/bowed trusses?
Could the tape issue be related to truss rotation and bowing? Ttruss uplift wouldn't cracks be seen where the wall meets the ceiling? Has anybody seen this issue before?
[ Image:http://www.nachi.org/bbsystem/usrimages/2/ ]
Originally Posted By: whandley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi James;
Is there accessible attic space above the garage? That first pix, almost looks like someone stepped on the drywall. I like the pix of the interior side of the garage door header. Could it be the header is undersized for current load? Was there evidence of cracks, voids, separation, deflection and or repair at exterior side of same? 
Originally Posted By: kshepard This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Since the roof sheathing acts as a solid membrane tying the whole truss assembly to the tops of the walls, it’s difficult for the trusses to rotate once the sheathing is nailed off. Nothing much can move them but foundation movement, strong wind uplift or seismic activity.
Which part of the truss is bowed? They often get installed with bowed bottom chords because they sat outside in the weather, draped over another pile of trusses for two months while someone rounded up more money. Carpenters don’t straighten them if no one cares, the price is too low or they don’t have the material.
Originally Posted By: dedwards This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
James,
From what I see in your pics of the tape and seams it looks like the typical crappy job of prep job (or lack of) that I see routinely here in Florida. The garage and other unheated / air conditioned spaces are usually the areas this shows up. The drywall does not receive any kind of sealer / primer, then the popcorn spray is applied. Over time the high temps and humidity in the space causes the finish to loosen and peel off. In the rest of the house they have to applied a primer coat (usually watered way down) but at least it is something to seal the paper on the drywall. The paint peeling on the garage door header comfirms this for me. I agree with someone’ s assessement for the busted panel. Looks like someone either stepped on it or something heavy was stored directly on top of the ceiling inside the attic. As far as the trusses they often use truss cords that are bowed or twisted from the truss manufacturer. No 2 Southern yellow pine has a tendancy to twist and bow anyway especially on long pieces normally found in trusses.
Originally Posted By: jlybolt This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The ventilation was compacted typ. of home 20 years old. At appears that someone had added soffit vents after the home was constructed at several locations. After thinking more about the bowing of the truss I believe its from excess weight from an additional roof that meet perpendicular on top of the bowed trusses.
Excuse my ignorance, but when were baffles required. Is it basically new construction? Or would you find them in a home that is 20 years old?
Most of the homes I inspect that are 20 years old have no insulation baffles or cross bracing on the trusses. Theres usually just a 2x4 fill running the full length of the ridge. 
Originally Posted By: ccoombs This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
James
I find that the drywall in the garage is for fire rating and not for looks or quality. However, what you show is more than poor quality. The one location looks like some force from above. The header looks like it is deflecting too much. This may be due to being undersized from the start.
Did the bottom chord of the trusses show any deflection? What about the header? What type of roofing material?
I have seen the web members of trusses bow out of plan of the truss when a heavier roofing material is added and the trusses are not adequate to carry the load. It is also common to provide a 2x4 member to brace the web members from bowing out of plane. This is something that can be added. The big question is what caused this to bow in the first place.