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 New Jersey
home inspection NJ home
inspectors perform
Certified New Jersey home
inspections in NJ.
SHEAR (DIAGONAL) BRACING
RECOMMENDED:
Diagonal or shear bracing helps prevent
buildings from "racking" or swaying.
This type movement usually cracks walls and
siding and weakens the structure in general.
Diagonal bracing comes in many forms and is not
always readily recognizable to the layman.
Examples are stucco, drywall, plaster, plywood
and other sidings which are properly lathed
and/or nailed, boards and metal straps nailed
diagonally into the frame, etc. Each of these
items constitutes diagonal bracing but none are
necessarily allowed by building codes unless
properly installed, spaced and nailed. In many
earthquake prone areas most buildings sorely
need more diagonal bracing. Plywood siding such
as "T 1-11," which is a grooved
siding, is one of the more common sidings nailed
to the frame and expected to perform as shear
bracing. In some of the more moderate
earthquakes in California it was noted that this
material popped off, nails and all. It seemed
that the problem was that the builders did not
nail the material sufficiently at the edges and
in the field. In this particular case the
inspector may be referring to the need for more
nails on this type siding. Diagonal
"let-in" bracing is usually found
within the walls of a structure and may not be
visible to the inspector. However, this item
will be checked if any racking movement is
noted. Diagonal bracing is generally easy to
install unless it is to be installed within a
finished wall. Metal bracing straps are
available at all Building Supply Outlets and are
easy to install if access can be gained. It is
important that the brace be nailed at the top
and bottom plates as well as to the wall studs.
Beefing up the nailing of plywood siding is
easy. Be sure to use 8 penny hot dipped
galvanized nails. Nail the center of the plywood
(the field) as close to the center of the studs
as possible at 8 inch intervals and nail at 6
inch intervals around the edges. It is
recommended that you contact a Building Repair
and Maintenance Company for additional
assistance if needed.
The above information was provided by TWI Systems Copyright 1995-2005 1-800-553-5660 |
