Large gap between soffit and stucco siding?

[Garret Roberts]

As I was inspecting a home yesterday and I noticed a gap between the stucco siding and the soffit only on the back side of home. The gap was from 0 on both outside corners and would drop down close to an inch of separation along the complete back half of home. I can visibly view the rafters resting on the top plate. I noticed no cracking on the stucco or concrete foundation. I’m puzzled as to the possible cause, my first thought is that poor venting possibly caused the eave to crown, causing the separation. There were no rafter vent, but there were gable and roof vents with minimal obstruction on screens. My main objective of course is to write this up correctly.
I have a photo just not sure how to attach

[Robert J. OConnor]

Originally Posted by Garret Roberts

I have a photo just not sure how to attach

Including a photo would be helpful. When posting or replying go to the "Additional Options" section, and then click on "Manage Attachments"

[Garret Roberts]

Manage Attachments Option is not visible?

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by Garret Roberts

As I was inspecting a home yesterday and I noticed a gap between the stucco siding and the soffit only on the back side of home. The gap was from 0 on both outside corners and would drop down close to an inch of separation along the complete back half of home. I can visibly view the rafters resting on the top plate. I noticed no cracking on the stucco or concrete foundation. I’m puzzled as to the possible cause, my first thought is that poor venting possibly caused the eave to crown, causing the separation. There were no rafter vent, but there were gable and roof vents with minimal obstruction on screens. My main objective of course is to write this up correctly.
I have a photo just not sure how to attach

If you are a Nachi member, you need to sign in. Non-members are not allowed to post pic's. If you aren't a member, email me the pic and I'll try and post it for you. Send it as high res as you have. jrjonas@jrjconsultants.net

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Here's the pic's from Garret...

[Robert J. OConnor]

Were you able to sight along the gap to see if the framing was bowing upward, or if the top of the siding was dipping downward.

Thats definitely unusual, especially since it looks like the stucco was butting up against the rafter closure boards at one time, and you don't see any stucco or foundation cracking. If the rafters are bearing directly on the top plate with no shims, and the framing/floors look true and level it's likely some kind of issue with the siding.

Flag it for further evaluation, as someone will likely have to take a close look at that to figure out whats going on.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Old, open eave design. Recommend boxing in the eave for aesthetic reasons. Probably not an issue otherwise. Just ugly.

[Barry Adair]

Originally Posted by roconnor

Were you able to sight along the gap to see if the framing was bowing upward, or if the top of the siding was dipping downward.

Thats definitely unusual, especially since it looks like the stucco was butting up against the rafter closure boards at one time, and you don't see any stucco or foundation cracking. If the rafters are bearing directly on the top plate with no shims, and the framing/floors look true and level it's likely some kind of issue with the siding.

Flag it for further evaluation, as someone will likely have to take a close look at that to figure out whats going on.

agree with RC!

movement has occurred, call it and refer it unless cause was determined
sloughed stucco material is evident at the lookout blocking and original offset is evident right under the rafter

boxing in the eave with soffit won't fix what's moved

[Garret Roberts]

The back side of this duplex is about 100’in length from end to end with the stucco resting against soffit as it should on each end. It then slowly separates to about 1”. By sighting it from one end I was unable to positively see any type of crowning. The strange thing is there no sign of damage anywhere, with this much movement you would think you would. I thought I should call it out like so.

Movement has occurred causing a gap between soffit and stucco siding on rear section of home, unknown possible cause. Recommend further evaluation from qualified professional.

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

Truss uplift?
Any attic pics?

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

The bottom cord of the rafters are shrinking just at the ends of the home.
You have to look at door frames window frames, attic.
Specifically where the key lifted areas are.
I am only doing a visual in my mind, mind you.
Foundation movement would leave exterior and interior signs.
The interior will tell you more than the exterior.
I am being presumptive. I have only seen this up north.

[Gary D. Rowden]

Hi Garret
I agree with Robert – Truss Uplift
I experienced a similar concern while doing an inspection a few months ago where there was an abnormal separation between the soffit and stucco siding. Upon further investigation I noticed (while viewing from attic) that the top board on the double plate and rafters had pulled away from lower plate, causing this separation.

[Robert J. OConnor]

It might be wind uplift (especially if it's in a high wind area), possibly combined with other factors. But thats not "truss uplift", which is movement of the lower cord between the supports of a truss ... also that looks like conventional roof framing.

http://www.inspectionlibrary.com/truss.htm

Originally Posted by growden

... I experienced a similar concern while doing an inspection a few months ago where there was an abnormal separation between the soffit and stucco siding. Upon further investigation I noticed (while viewing from attic) that the top board on the double plate and rafters had pulled away from lower plate, causing this separation.

Thats a possibility ... but he indicated no noticeable crowning of the roof framing. I have not seen wind uplift that severe around my neck of the woods. Was the amount of separation similar?

[Robert J. OConnor]

Originally Posted by Garret Roberts

By sighting it from one end I was unable to positively see any type of crowning.

Do you mean no crowning of the framing? Something isn't level.

Originally Posted by Garret Roberts

The strange thing is there no sign of damage anywhere, with this much movement you would think you would.

That movement may have occured a long time ago, and has since been patched.

Originally Posted by Garret Roberts

Movement has occurred causing a gap between soffit and stucco siding on rear section of home, unknown possible cause. Recommend further evaluation from qualified professional.

That sounds fine. Let us know the outcome if they do get the evaluation.

[ROBERT V. YOUNG]

Originally Posted by roconnor

It might be wind uplift (especially if it's in a high wind area), possibly combined with other factors. But thats not "truss uplift", which is movement of the lower cord between the supports of a truss ... also that looks like conventional roof framing.

http://www.inspectionlibrary.com/truss.htm


That's a possibility ... but he indicated no noticeable crowning of the roof framing. I have not seen wind uplift that severe around my neck of the woods. Was the amount of separation similar?

That is a possible hypothesis Mr. Connor.
My thoughts.
It is only lifted 1.5 inches and the crown might not show significant bow or arch.
If the ( gabled ends ) are well anchored to the framing. They are the ones in tension. Back and front.

I never processed wind lift.
Great point.
Questions.Not much wind-lift conditions around the island of Montreal, or I have not been informed of any.
#1: It would be easy to identify if the straps where broken or from the attic?
#2: Would it not show stress signs on the interior walls as well.
Its like blowing up a balloon but the weakest areas would be the fractured points would they not?
Interior and exterior movement.
Just trying to put an hypothesis behind the thinking.
Thank you.
Any links to wing-lift would be greatly approached.
There are areas of high wind on certain banks of the island.
Thank you.