UPDATE-Truss Uplift

by Hope Williams

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We have found the source of our whole house shifting. It is Truss Uplift causing our structural issues. Our trusses were are attached by 3 screw gate hinges. I know I know, you read that right! Upon further inspection, it was discovered that the trusses themselves are not attached to the top plate, no bracing, no cross bracing and no nail plates. Causing a ripple effect down through all three floors!

Pics are a bit rough when I was taking them precariously perched on my roof. I’ll get more as we discover more!

Cant wait! Ha!!

Some kind of cable. We really don’t know why.

Can you see they routed, pretty deep too, the area for the gate hinge for who knows what kind of modification.

9 answers

Wendy on Apr 05, 2018

Oh goodness! I'm glad to hear you found the source though.

Helpful Reply
Connie Quine on Apr 05, 2018

Oh, I am so sorry for you problem! That sounds like a major structural problem, but it may be easier to fix, now that you have found the actual problem. Good luck, and keep us informed on how it goes, and what else you find!

Helpful Reply
- Hope Williams on Apr 05, 2018
  
  Thank you Connie. And I will keep y’all updated. My hope is that someone out there will need this info at some point and this will help solve their problems and alleviate their fears.
  
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Ken Mer on Apr 05, 2018

Simpson Strong-Tie makes engineered fasteners for wood framing members and is the leading supplier for wood construction (residential and commercial). The yahoo that installed the trusses was using scrap material to get the job done. The building inspector should have been fired for missing this.
If this is an indication of how the house was built, I'm sorry to say the whole house framing system is suspect and should be inspected by a licensed structural engineer, or at least an Architect with a good understanding of structural engineering. All of the framing systems (foundation to floors, floor joist size, floors to walls, wall entities such as headers and shear wall systems, walls to trusses, truss bracing components, truss blocking, ect...) need to be exposed for a proper inspection.
Note, every truss mfr provides the installer with installation instructions. The trusses are usually marked with the mfr's name. Get a copy.

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- Pat Russell on Apr 05, 2018
  
  We agree with KenMer; this is a job for an experienced engineer, not a DIY. Good luck and, yes, keep us posted on this "adventure".
  
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- Hope Williams on Apr 05, 2018
  
  I am in whole hearted agreement with you both. Problems are 1. This county did not start keeping records until 2005. 2. I have hunted and hunted for a structural engineer for almost a year. 3. I’d fly one in if anyone knows one willing to come and dissect this whole house!!! 4. That’s why I posted here, hoping I’d be put in contact with one. I’m desperate here!
  
  Helpful
- Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA on Apr 05, 2018
  
  This shows EXACTLY why building codes need to be in place and inspections need to be performed - to protect the consumer from nightmare disasters such as this.
  
  Where or how have you looked for a structural engineer?
  
  https://www.yellowpages.com/blue-ridge-ga/structural-engineering-firms
  
  http://www.precisionstructuralengineers.com/ga/
  
  https://www.homeadvisor.com/tloc/Hiawassee-GA/Engineer-Structural/
  
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- Barbara on Apr 05, 2018
  
  Sadly there are inspectors in the US who allow less than standard building jobs to be passed. Building codes are good only when the builders adhere to the codes. When the inspectors pass less than standard quality building; the lack of quality may not show for years.
  I have inspectors pass building results before the plumbing, electrical , etc. has even been finished.
  
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- Hope Williams on Apr 24, 2018
  
  Barbara you are so very right.
  
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Whi29148794 on Apr 05, 2018

Oh My G.... what in the world!! Glad you found the source of the problem. Keep us posted on how you fixed the trusses.

Helpful Reply

Sandy on Apr 05, 2018

What are the symptoms of truss uplift?

Helpful Reply
- Hope Williams on Apr 05, 2018
  
  This is bizarre, but I promise this is what I experienced.
  First, it was all these unnatural splitting of wood. (Trusses were breaking.) then one Sunday morning sitting on the sofa, I heard the loudest wood split directly above my head. I noticed every drywall nail, on all three floors, was either popping out or being pulled into the drywall. It was a combination of many little things and a few big things.
  I went upstairs and found a floor joist had the carpet pushed up from front to back of house.
  We were already waiting on our roof to be done, but never expected to find everything we found.
  Uplift occurs when the truss is not properly screwed, bolted, nail plated, etc., to each other. But also properly fastened to the top plate. When the wind blows, literally, it causes the trusses to lift as proper ventilation can not occur. It can lift the walls as well. Ours was/is lifting our walls too. I believe that is what too me so long to figure this out. The damage was occurring behind any and all drywall.
  
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9530106 on Apr 05, 2018

Oh, my! It is a wonder you still have a roof over your heads! Keep us posted, good luck!

Helpful Reply
Stage4needsmore on Apr 05, 2018

I used to be a homeowners insurance adjuster and would highly recommend Vannoy & Associates, I love Donald Vannoy, based out of Silver Spring, Md 1-800-593-7001. They can do forensic engineering and explain in understandable terms how to fix the problem, document the problem and testify in court if you want to go after the yahoo who built your house. They will be worth every penny they charge as you have a very serious issue you are dealing with and you need it fixed correctly As soon as possible. Good luck!

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- Hope Williams on Apr 05, 2018
  
  Thank you so so much. Do they travel?
  Having been an insurance adjuster, is this an insurance issue? We have checked, in person, at our county office and there is no trail of any kind to follow as to who built this house. No permits or such were kept, if any were ever pulled.
  
  Helpful
- Hope Williams on Apr 05, 2018
  
  I just got off the phone with them! Oh my word, y’all I got help on the way! A forensic engineer! Wooolo Hoooo! I have to call my insurance co first, hire an attorney and then the forensic engineer! Oh my heavens, thank you thank you thank you!
  Blessings!!!
  
  1 marked as helpful
Stage4needsmore on Apr 05, 2018

No I am sorry I do not think this would be covered by insurance due to exclusions in the policy language but it could be worth reporting as they may cover the cost of the engineer to confirm it is excluded by the policy. Based on your pictures the insurance adjuster may make the denial based on their own inspection and knowledge and not feel an engineer is warranted so please don’t get your hopes up. You will need an engineer to make recommendations on how this can be fixed. The attorney would be able to tell you if you have any recourse against the person you bought the home from or anyone else.

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- Hope Williams on Apr 05, 2018
  
  Thank you for all your answers. Whether or not it’s covered, I do not feel safe in my home. There is no dollar amount that can justify NOT hiring a great forensic engineer. I feel I should follow his recommendations and take it from there.
  Found out from a friend tonight, that her neighbor was adding a sunroom to her home. When they dug down to put the piers in for the addition, the contractor found that there were no piers for her existing structure. Just her foundation. And can I say we live in the mountains clear enough! It boggles my brain that such practices are supposedly “inspected” and accepted as ok? It can wipe out a retirement account so very fast!
  
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- Mary McDonald on Sep 07, 2019
  
  I’m so sorry for your nightmare! I hope it all worked out!
  
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Cloudisit on Jun 18, 2021

Hi hope, did u end up hiring the forensic structural engineer don vannoy ? How was your experience ? Is your issue fixed ?

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