Rafters not meeting ridge board....

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Hey Guys,

Got one for ya.....

I was in an attic today and the rafters running to the center board ( ridge ) were in contact with the board as normal....However, on the other side the rafters down about 15-20 along the center of the house stopped about 2" short of reaching the ridge board...so to make it reach they nailed on 1' blocks to make up the last 2" and nailed them to the joists down every one...

Now this was done years ago, no signs of sagging....and while I did see a whole house exhaust fan directly in the center of the area in the main floors ceiling...that should not effect the fact the roof rafters holding the roof do not contact the center board correctly....

Any thoughs on that......?

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Far from the standard of practice, wouldn't you think?

Hope they don't get 2' of snow on the roof, they are at the mercy of the nails of the scap and fatigue over the years will win.

This roof system that looks like a 4 to 6 inch slope is at the mercy of the shear of the nails used and eventually will let go.

It is not right would be the answer.

Marcel

[Paul W. Abernathy]

I agree.......I told the buyer this.......and his reply was...heck I am old Paul....I will be dead before it is a concern of mine.....I said..oh well..it is in my report so thats up to you.....

So the guy loved me....but did not care about any concerns I reported...wants to buy the house anyway without suggesting the buyer fix anything...go figure...lol

[rsonneson]

You did your job and he did not see a need to make it a isssue. Sounds like a reasonable man.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

I tell you......the guy was about the nicest man I have ever met on a inspection. Really cared about the house and I think he will get the things I mentioned looked at...but regardless I could tell he really wanted the house and so I am happy for him...overall the issues can be corrected if he chooses to do so.

[lewens]

This is the kind of stuff that made me quit the trade.
Larry

[lagudo]

Why didn't they just add another block between the ridge board and the rafter to take up the void instead of sistering a piece of wood against the rafter. The rafters on that side of the house are bearing on nails instead of wood. I would want to make a big deal of it. If this is what you can see , who knows what you can't see. With that said , I would want to add a block to take up that void between the rafter and the ridge.

Louis Agudo
Home Sweet Home Inspection Services

[Paul W. Abernathy]

I hear ya Louis......I made note and explained my concerns and refered to a licensed contractor or structural engineer on the correct changes.

[ckratzer]

Originally Posted by lewens

This is the kind of stuff that made me quit the trade.
Larry

Why would you let someone elses poor craftsmanship influence your desire to stay or leave the trade?

Is this not the exact reason you would want to stay?

Just curious.

[ckratzer]

The ridge board is also under-sized and should be the next size up so that the rafters bear fully on.
The rafters look to be 2x6. The ridge board in this case should be 2x8.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Cheremie,

In the case of the image above...even if it was a 2x8 the rafter would not reach the ridge board.....this was done all down the left side for about 20 rafters.....

[ckratzer]

Paul, my comment was more in the line of "in addition to..." the obvious short rafters.

[gmartin2]

'measure twice, cut once'

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Larry E. , What is the reason you gave up the trade?

I am curious now.

Cherimie got me going on this, so it is not my fault. ha. ha.

Marcel

[Jay Moge]

i don't get it, i cut it 3 times boss, and it's still too short.