Crack in bottom cord of pole barn truss. Should I be concerned?

JamesBondo · Jul 18, 2020

I started working on my ceiling joists for sheet rock in my pole barn and to my dismay I noticed for the first time the end of my 2x8 truss has a rather large crack. The type A part of me is pissed, but I am wondering if it is really that big of a deal? My plan was to get some locktight 8x and inject it into the crack, as well as sister two 2x8s along the crack with nails and 8x. Do you guys think this is something that is worthy of contacting the builder or truss company? I'm not really sure what they would do, but I'm also kind of a pushover when it comes to that kind of stuff. I realize it is rough carpentry and not everything will be perfect.

Looking back at some pictures of when it was being built this spring I can see the crack, so it wasn't a recent thing. Wondering what your thoughts are on something like this?
Thanks!

PelicanPines · Jul 18, 2020

I would send those pictures to the builder and see what their input is.

JamesBondo · Jul 18, 2020

I thought about that. The only issues is it was an Amish gentleman who is located a few hours away. He has no email or cell phone but does take calls. I was wondering if the truss company they were purchased from that does have an email might be an easier first option.

James-W · Jul 18, 2020

It won't be practical to remove the truss, but it could probably be repaired by putting plywood on both sides of the truss and nailing it really good. Or, you could maybe put some plate steel on both sides of the truss and bolt it together. In any case, it would be best to consult with a structural engineer before attempting a repair.

wayne55 · Jul 18, 2020

Believe it on not, I had lightning to hit my shop building and crack a truss in about the same place as yours. It was not as long a crack and a smaller truss board though. I did what James suggested. I glued and bolted a piece of plywood to both sides. That was about 14 years ago. I have a plywood ceiling also and you don't see the repair unless you go into the attic. The repair looks fine though.

WisJim · Jul 18, 2020

Since the crack is in the middle third of the 2x8, it won't affect the strength much if at all. If it were mine, I would glue the crack, clamp it tight, and screw some strips of good 1/2" plywood on one side. When the glue dried, and the clamps were off, another strip of ply on the other side if it makes you feel better. (Speaking with recollections of my old career as an engineering tech checking structural plans of commercial buildings for code compliance.)

JamesBondo · Jul 18, 2020

Thanks for the info. Did you cover/glue over the metal truss plates as well when you put the plywood on? I don't care about looks as much as it being a sound repair.

JamesBondo · Jul 18, 2020

WisJim said:
Since the crack is in the middle third of the 2x8, it won't affect the strength much if at all. If it were mine, I would glue the crack, clamp it tight, and screw some strips of good 1/2" plywood on one side. When the glue dried, and the clamps were off, another strip of ply on the other side if it makes you feel better. (Speaking with recollections of my old career as an engineering tech checking structural plans of commercial buildings for code compliance.)

Thanks!

Firebrick43 · Jul 18, 2020

Don’t contact the barn builder, contact the truss builder. The truss engineer on staff will give a repair method. It may be exactly as listed above or sister a 2x8. Some of the time they will send someone out to perform it. They will include a letter describing the repair and it will be stamped by the engineer. Keep on file for the building inspectors and insurance companies.

If you perform the repair without the stamped letter and something happens down the road, the insurance company may assign you the blame and not pay

The Cobbler · Jul 18, 2020

Firebrick43 said:
Don’t contact the barn builder, contact the truss builder. .....

I agree

sberry · Jul 18, 2020

I would squeeze some glue on it, slobber some on some 1/2 or 3/4 ply and nail them on if it really bothered me a lot.

NUTTSGT · Jul 18, 2020

I'm a subscriber to RR Buildings on Youtube. Here's a recent video that includes the fix for a truss with a missing gusset plate.

Scroll to 3:30

This was the fix from the truss engineer.

Me, I'd probably glue/screw a 2x8 to each side or a section of 3/4" plywood. The best thing would probably contact the truss company first, include the builders name and job number for his reference if you can.

stingry · Jul 18, 2020

Personally, I would inject gorilla glue or similar product, clamp it tightly and drive 8” screws in from the bottom. I would also drill pilot holes up to the crack. Plating the sides will work also but would not be to aesthetically pleasing.

Firstram · Jul 18, 2020

Firebrick43 said:
Don’t contact the barn builder, contact the truss builder. The truss engineer on staff will give a repair method. It may be exactly as listed above or sister a 2x8. Some of the time they will send someone out to perform it. They will include a letter describing the repair and it will be stamped by the engineer. Keep on file for the building inspectors and insurance companies.

If you perform the repair without the stamped letter and something happens down the road, the insurance company may assign you the blame and not pay

So many ways to skin a cat but this is the preferred method. Truss companies write repair procedures every day.

The Cobbler · Jul 18, 2020

NUTTSGT said:
I'm a subscriber to RR Buildings on Youtube. Here's a recent video that includes the fix for a truss with a missing gusset plate.

Scroll to 3:30

This was the fix from the truss engineer.

Me, I'd probably glue/screw a 2x8 to each side or a section of 3/4" plywood. The best thing would probably contact the truss company first, include the builders name and job number for his reference if you can.

That sure seems overkill . wow.. but I do agree on contacting the truss manufactur and/or builder.
A home made repair could come back later on resale to bite you

NUTTSGT · Jul 18, 2020

The Cobbler said:
That sure seems overkill . wow.. but I do agree on contacting the truss manufactur and/or builder.
A home made repair could come back later on resale to bite you

Overkill, probably and more than likely but it's CYA for futureproofing. . . . along with the Engineer's stamp.

sberry · Jul 18, 2020

I think he is covering this. 3/4 ply plates would be as strong or stronger than the original,,, or before it was repaired. would paint the glue on so it was pretty much 100%, smear it on and nail in a little zig zag row all the way above and below the crack. In my case a couple clips of 10. While it could be bolted nailed with modest nails would be best or as good.
You dont got to paint it red so its an eyesore.
Not that it would hurt to call them, maybe they do it for free under warranty but no one gonna do it as good as you, maybe they even pay you a fee to fix as per their direction. Could even simply cripple one side with glue and nails too most likely.

nadogail · Jul 18, 2020

IMHO, Document this with the truss manufacturer and then save all the correspondence to and from.

RTBS · Jul 18, 2020

I agree with the comments about contacting the truss company especially since it was recently built they should provide a fix and probably should fix the problem themselves if it was a bad truss.

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rayra · Jul 18, 2020

NUTTSGT said:
I'm a subscriber to RR Buildings on Youtube. Here's a recent video that includes the fix for a truss with a missing gusset plate.

Scroll to 3:30

This was the fix from the truss engineer.

Me, I'd probably glue/screw a 2x8 to each side or a section of 3/4" plywood. The best thing would probably contact the truss company first, include the builders name and job number for his reference if you can.

That RR fix seemed overengineered to an extreme, both companies looking to cover any possibility of liability.
Sistering some boards or plywood as you suggested ought to be sufficient. But it's Iowa, so snow load's a thing.
seconding 'contact the truss manf'.
Me, I'd just sister it and be done.

Chuckster in NJ · Jul 18, 2020

Contact the truss company and have them send you a SEALED ENGINEERS "repair" letter or repair drawing then do the repair exactly as per the drawing........ This way you are covered if anything happens or this "truss fix" gets noticed on a resale or insurance inspection.
These are "normally" easy to do repairs with 3/4” Plywood, glue and screws.

BTW! Keep the engineers repair letter in a safe place for future reference.

rlwhitetr3b · Jul 18, 2020

JamesBondo said:
I thought about that. The only issues is it was an Amish gentleman who is located a few hours away. He has no email or cell phone but does take calls. I was wondering if the truss company they were purchased from that does have an email might be an easier first option.

The Amish folks I have dealt with did have access to FAX and some had email addresses. There are companies that forward the emails to their fax machines. YMMV What they can do for business varies from community to community and how ********* the individual.

JamesBondo · Jul 21, 2020

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I will contact the truss company and see what they have to say first before I attempt repairs with construction addheasive and plywood.

sreeb · Jul 21, 2020

WisJim said:
Since the crack is in the middle third of the 2x8, it won't affect the strength much if at all. If it were mine, I would glue the crack, clamp it tight, and screw some strips of good 1/2" plywood on one side. When the glue dried, and the clamps were off, another strip of ply on the other side if it makes you feel better. (Speaking with recollections of my old career as an engineering tech checking structural plans of commercial buildings for code compliance.)

This is in tension and, from the photo, it looks like only 1/3 is still connected to the pressed on steel plate. I would expect a significant loss of tension strength. I would contact the truss company.

tre873 · Jul 21, 2020

If the truss manufacturer says to glue the truss, use Tite Bond III, it's stronger than Gorilla glue.

CraigStu · Jul 21, 2020

I was going to say you already have the answer. Good plywood, glue and good screws and done. But the CYA for when you sell, makes it a good idea to contact the truss co and ask for their procedure. Keep the reply and do what they say.

gtsgarage · Jul 21, 2020

That *****. Looking forward to hearing what the truss company suggests.

Crack in bottom cord of pole barn truss. Should I be concerned?

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