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 New Jersey
home inspection NJ home
inspectors perform
Certified New Jersey home
inspections in NJ.
SAGGING RAFTER / RIDGE / BEAM
/ JOIST OR FRAMING MEMBERS:
Sags in buildings are unsightly as well as
potentially unsafe. In today's construction
building codes are provided as a guideline for
the builder to help construct safer more durable
structures without undue waste of raw materials.
Building codes are founded on broad-based
performance principles and are necessarily
provided as a minimum standard in most cases. In
school we are accustomed to a grading system
ranging from "A" to "F." A
builder can pass a municipal building department
inspection with a "D" grade even
though better methods of construction may have
been possible. Therefore, one reason the
inspector may note this item is if he, in fact,
notices any undue deflection (sag) of the
framing member, even though it may be "up
to code." Often this will happen after a
new roof has been installed which is heavier
than the rafters were intended for or a new roof
may have been installed over an old roof adding
excessive weight to the rafters. Another reason
the inspector will check this item is when it is
noted that certain framing members are not
properly sized, spaced, or spanned, as per
building standards, or are not safely installed
with sufficient fasteners, etc. Some framing
member sags are actually framing member warpage
and not caused by overloading. This problem must
be carefully studied to be sure this, in fact,
is the situation. Sometimes under the building
it is noted that the supporting posts or piers
are not properly spaced or are missing allowing
sag of floor girders and joists. Mild sagging is
usually ignored by the property owner. More
serious situations may cause walls to push out
of plumb, etc. Sags in flat roofs may cause
water to pool thereby damaging the roofing
material prematurely. Adding supports, such as
"purlins," to attic framing members is
usually quite easy. . It is important that
supports be installed atop bearing walls only,
or the sag may transfer down through the wall
and cause the floor to sag. A bearing wall is
one that is sitting atop a foundation, a row of
piers or a grade beam. Floor joist and other
floor framing members are also quite easy to
brace. The purlin must be "kicked off"
to bearing walls. Photo courtesy "Cal-Pro
Inspections" up but often require jacking
the member up which can cause cracks to siding
and interior walls. Often this type repair is
done just before repainting. Floor sag repairs
usually require placement of extra piers
underneath the joists or beams. Piers are
available which are adjustable and these
sometimes eliminate the need for jacks. Second
story floor sags are often more difficult to
remedy since it may require placement of a beam
and/or post in living quarters below. Repair
techniques are so varied that it may be
necessary to contact the inspector for
additional information if you intend to do it
yourself, or with the assistance of a
knowledgeable helper, otherwise we recommend you
call on the services of a General Building
Contractor.
The above information was provided by TWI Systems Copyright 1995-2005 1-800-553-5660 |
