Yesterday I helped a crew load up nearly all my floor trusses for my new house to return them to the plant for repair. Most are 34′ long webbed trusses.
The reason they were returned is that in one place where two diagonal braces meet there was an average 3/16 dip in the top chord within a 4′ span in every truss. This was evident in all the long trusses. Some of the shorter trusses also seemed to have high spots (not the crown) in them. In sighting down the top chord it appeared that there were less significant dips at other places also in the long ones.
My question is when these are returned how fussy should I be about accepting the repaired trusses. Are slight dips normal and acceptable.
I’m not a contractor but I’ve built several duplexes over the past 10 years for my self and I don’t recall noticing any dips in any other trusses I’ve used. I don’t want to be unreasonable but I certainly want a floor that is level.
I’m going to call the plant tomorrow morning as they are going to repair them immediately but I would appreciate some help on what my expectations should be.
Thanks.
Steve
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I'm always amazed that such little deviations can cause such great stress.
I'd have shimmed the 4' spots and used heavy glue or cut the webplates and banged the struts tighter. Since the high spots are probably less than half of the 3/16" that so disturbs you, they shouldn't even be talked about.
Please understand that when the carpeting is layed, it will deviate some too....are you going to insist on carpeting that is so perfect in height that you can see your reflection in it?
I'm glad I'm not the one taking the call on Monday morning.
blue
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
Please understand that I did not insist that the trusses be returned.
When I called the plant to ask about them - and told them of my concern THEY said it was unacceptable and THEY said they would repair them.
I'm simply trying to determine what is reasonable.
5b.......Please....check with with the powers that be for info on fire blocking of webbed flr truss's . I had one that I built burn down recently and it was obivious that the open webs servied as a chimney to spread the fire through the entire house , only stopping where I had cantlevered PT joist's along side of floor truss's
I've had similar problems that you are having and due to scheduling I was able to do onsite corrections approved by the manufacturer and and back bill the company for time and material and we were both satisfied.........good luck and happiness is making the payroll....
Thanks for the input. Locally fire breaks are required between separate units of duplexes , etc. but not in single family.
If they insisted on repairing them, I'd say that's a good sign. They must be concerned about quality, or they would have tried to blow you off first.
I had this happen once on a floor job that I sold. They have refurbished our floor truss machine, and the first job we built on it after that was mmessed up. They put some of the air cylinders too close together, which caused the trusses to be clamped too tightly in one spot. This resulted in some pretty badly bowed trusses on the first couple of jobs before we figured out what was going on.
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I ask people to kepe in mind that trusses are built from typical lumber. There's no "magic forest" you can order straight lumber from. So some dips, crowns, and curls are normal. There's just no way around it.
I'd say wait until they get the trusses re-delivered and see what they look like. From what you've said, I'd guess you have a better 'n average chance of getting them back in good condition.
I'd say wait until they get the trusses re-delivered and see what they look like. From what you've said, I'd guess you have a better 'n average chance of getting them back in good condition
I'd have to agree Boss. If the truss company wants to rebuild them, I hardly think they are going to send out stuff with the same type of defects.
I am concerned about the fire issues however in trusses. It's kinda ironic that they don't make everyone break them up in residential costruction. I'd do it on my house.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!