Replies

1. 
   BossHog | Jul 25, 2006 04:51am | #1

   If I understand you right, you have 3 trusses that are about 1/2" taller at the ridge than the others. But they're not out of line like left-to-right. Is that correct?

   If so, are the fascia lines straight? Do the heel heights match up? Do the top chord plane look parallel when you sight down them?

   Were these custom ordered, or taken out of stock somewhere? What's the roof pitch?

   If they're that much out I definitely wouldn't like it. You probably could sheet over it and not see it from the ground easily. Whether you want to live with it or fix it is basically up to you.

   There are times not to flirt. When you're sick. When you're with children. When you're on the witness stand. [Joyce Jillson]
1. 
   user-159210 | Jul 25, 2006 06:02am | #2

   Boss - the heels line up ,but the top cords are out  from top to bottom, I think we got sloppy towards the end,If I could whack it over about a 1/4" I'd be happy but I have to cut all those stringers.my question to you is do you think it will show after the sheathing and roofing is installed? If so I'll warm up the sawz-all   -  thanks

1. 
   BossHog | Jul 25, 2006 01:37pm | #3

   Well, a half an inch isn't much. I don't really think it would be TOO obvious.You could always try to shave 1/4" off the high spots, and get it down to where it wasn't noticeable if you were concerned. The pitch of the roof would make SOME differrence. With a low pitched roof, it would be harder to see the ridge unless you were farther back from the building. With a higher pitch it might be more noticeable.Maybe some of the other guys will jump in with some thoughts...
   Democracy is only an experiment in government, and it has the obvious disadvantage of merely counting votes instead of weighing them. [Ralph Inge]

1. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Jul 25, 2006 03:08pm | #5

   Well, a half an inch isn't much. I don't really think it would be TOO obvious.

   That half inch will be sticking up at the fascia line. That will JUMP out at him. Hornets will be able to get under the plywood.He'd have to "chip" the tails or rip that bump out but the plywood will still telegraph it ( higher up the roof)  and it will still be obvious after shingles.

   I think you suggested the two solutions already. Rip the entire length of the bumped up truss or re-set them in their proper alignment.

   blue 

1. 
   BossHog | Jul 25, 2006 03:21pm | #6

   "That half inch will be sticking up at the fascia line."

   As best as I could tell from his post, the problem was at the peak, not at the heel.

   But I agree that the information he's presented so far is confusing.
   Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly and for the same reason.

2. 
   blue_eyed_devil | Jul 25, 2006 03:01pm | #4

   Paul, you've run a string at the peak and determined that three trusses are "high" by about 1/2". Boss asked if the trusses were out of alingnment and asked about the heel alignment. Your answer was conflicting. You said the heel's line up but that the "top chords are out from top to bottom".

   From those conflicting statements, I've deducted that you have set your trusses according to the end of the bottom chord. On most trusses, the bottom chord ends at the exact point of the heel. Note that I used the words "most trusses". We regularly find that the heel height varies at this point. In theory, the tip of the bottom chord is the proper heel height. In reality, we know that this is not true.

   If your entire truss is out of alignment and causing a bump up of 1/2", then the opposing side of those same trusses will be lower than 1/2". You've got two problems!

   Personally, I'd be concerned about that bump up and probably use a nail puller to free up the truss and adjust it. I doubt that moving three small trusses like those would take more than five minutes. You've probably spent more time studying the problem than it will take to fix it. Use a nail puller and you'll be done in a flash.

   The leaning trusses is also an issue. I wouldn't rely on a rope to get them aligned. Instead, I'd use lumber. Trusses this small won't fall that easily, so I wouldn't worry too much about losing them if I unbraced the entire run. To prevent disasters  and because your a rookie, you might consider using two opposing wood braces up in the trusses. Just lay a lateral base on the bottom chords and nail two opponing braces at the top of the truss, then provide two "stop blocks" that limit the travel of the braces. Unnail the braces that are holding the trusses, then adjust them. Renail as needed.

   blue