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Posted by Joseph Meehan on September 2, 2007, 6:33 am
I suggest Roger has the right answer.
--
Joseph Meehan
Dia 's Muire duit
"Roger Taylor" <sherryrogeratcomcastdotnet> wrote in message
> <John J. Beltham> wrote in message
>>I am in the process of evaluating a house for possible purchase. While
>> inspecting it I noticed that the roof was sagging. I crawled into the
>> attic and noticed that a main support timber had failed and someone
>> had attempted to brace it. You can see a photo here
>> http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc81/digital686/ This is not the
>> roof in question but ithe picture depects exactly what I found in the
>> attic. I plan on having a licensed roofing contractor evaluate the
>> roof. The house is circa 1955 and built on a slab. I do not see any
>> cracks in the stucco or drywall, just one small area that is sagging
>> on the roof above where this timber is. I was just wondering what
>> could cause this timber to fail?
>
> The remedy is as important as the cause. Cause could be many things,
> including insufficient rafter or bracing strength, or wood weakened by rot
> or moisture. Roofers in my experience know little of substructure and
> rafter sizing, bracing, and spacing. Also avoid "building inspectors" (no
> degree required).
> For this issue, get a competent structural or civil engineer with full
> knowledge of current codes for roof substructure building. They can tell
> you why rafter bracing failed, how it failed, and whether a support
> structure needs to be rebuild or redesigned. You'll find them in the
> yellow pages, and can pay them per visit or per hour. Well worth it, if
> you are planning to buy.
> Roger
>
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