HomeMy WebLinkAbout1608 Laporte Ave - Special Inspections/Engineering - 08/17/2003August 17, 2003
Ms. Laura Boekhout
State Farm Insurance
4900 S. College Ave.
Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
Reogl
Re: 11 MLaporte Ave.
Fort Collins, Colorado
Dear Ms. Boekhout
Weeks & Associates, Inc.
Structural Engineers
B 0 3 0 6 6 15
On August 12, 2003 1 visited the referenced site as requested. The purpose of this visit was to
render an opinion based on site observations regarding the structural condition of the roof.
The house is a one-story wood framed structure constructed in 1954. The roof is `stick built'
with 2x6 rafters at 24" on center and 2x4 ceiling joists at 16" on center.
There is a noticeable sag in the ridge of the gable roof. Additionally there is drywall cracking at
the interface of the wall and ceiling at the north wall and some at the south wall. It is my
understanding the roof sag and drywall cracking occurred after the heavy snowstorm in March
of 2003.
Based on site observations it is my opinion the sag in the ridge and the cracking in the drywall is
the result of failure of the ceiling joist attachment to either the exterior wall or at the splice in the
joists. The failure of the attachment resulted in the rafters pushing out the tops of the north and
south walls and created a sag in the roof ridge. The outward push of the tops of the north and
south exterior walls is evidenced by the drywall cracking at the wall/ceiling interface. It is my
opinion the sag in the roof and the outward rotation of the tops of the north and south walls has
resulted in a roof system not capable of supporting future snow load.
It is recommended the ridge be jacked up to level and new cross ties be provided at each rafter
location. Jacking of the ridge should pull the tops of the frame walls in to some extent however
pushing the tops of the walls from the exterior may be required to plumb the walls. The cross
ties should be 2x6's nailed to the side at the end of each rafter with 8-16D nails. The cross ties
may be spliced near the center of the span with a 3' long splice section nailed each end with 8-
16d nails. The new cross ties may be placed just above the existing ceiling members to existing
wiring.
If I can be of further assistance please contact me.
Si c rely,
e & Asso
G. Weeks, P.F
ctural Engineer
Weeks & Associates, Inc. 300 Boardwalk, Building 3, Unit D Fort Collins, CO 80525 (970) 225-2422