BobVila.com

I think its great you are posting this to the BBS. More people will benefit long-term. For those new to this thread it is on the Fix-It For'em at http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/231374.html

First, the truss company is who engineeered and built the trusses. They are the BEST people to evaluate them. They are liable for the structural and functional integrity, and no doubt are participating in the repair costs. Although they have a potential financial interest in the repairs, the builder that installed them may not have complied with the truss plan detail which should have specified fasteners, or drywall installation techniques.

Apparently the builder is taking responsibility and doing the right thing. Not to pile on concerns for you, but this project is going to be really messy. I suspect carpets will be removed and reinstalled later. Meanwhile, entire wall and ceiling sections will be torn down and rebuilt. By doing this in phases, the builder is trying to minimize disruption and keep the house inhabitable.

Now, this is the pill thats going to be hard to swallow: There are no winners in this. The builder is going to incur significant expenses, and you are going to be inconvenienced. In return the builder should expect his reputation as a responsible contractor is left intact, and you are going to get a well build functional home. Its time to stop playing victim and work with these guys to make the project happen in the fastest easiest way possible, and maintaining a positive perspective with the builder and your family is an important role you must play to continue to get cooperation, and to get the best possible outcome.

This problem would not have been forseeable by me, and you builder probably did not see it comming either. As far as selling the home, the defect is being repaired and there is no reason to sell after you have gone through the difficult matter of repairs. JMHO.

Some additional strategies that may minimize uplift is to improve attic ventilation to minimize seasonal variations in temperature and moisture. Are you in an area receiving unusual summer rainfall and humidity this year?

For more information on truss uplift see the following links:

http://www.roberts.ezpublishing.com/croberts/truss.htm
http://www.hopkinsmn.com/inspections/building/trussuplift.html
http://www.buildingscience.com/resources/walls/dywall_wood_truss_uplift.pdf
http://www.askthebuilder.com/169_Truss_Uplift_and_Seasonal_Ceiling_Cracks.shtml
http://www.quadranthomes.com/contactus/manual_pages/5_Interior.asp

There are more links if you need them.

TomH Moderator