Page 26 - Green Builder Magazine Jan-Feb 2018 Issue

Building Flaws and Their Solutions

8

Small or missing strapping to
anchor the roof structure to the
walls led to roof framing damage.

GAIN, THIS PROBLEM applies primarily to older
homes. But it’s also an important reminder to
contractors to check the workmanship of their CREDIT: FEMA
framing crews. There’s no room for skipping
A rafter straps to save time. Strap size and types
should be evaluated with each new building design. Simpson
Strong-Tie makes about 20 different types of straps, each
designed for a certain uplift. Don’t guess. Download the
company’s High-Wind-Resistant Construction Application
Guide (http://bit.ly/1r4DKa0), and make sure the straps you
specify are right for worst-case wind uplift.

Tied down. An integrated, consistent system of fasteners and
tie-downs is arguably the best defense to keep the roof on a home in
hurricane-force winds.

(Not quite) rock solid.
Hurricanes can be just as
dangerous as earthquakes if a
masonry-supported house
lacks proper reinforcement
from a product such as rebar.

9

Unreinforced masonry

walls lacked a continuous
load path, resulting in

wall damage and failure.

T’S WELL KNOWN that unreinforced masonry can be extremely that do not specifically lie in high-wind zones. Any home in Florida,
dangerous in an earthquake. But recent experience shows it frankly, should be built reinforced. Retrofitting existing buildings with
also can’t be trusted in hurricane winds, not to mention flood reinforcement is also possible, but obviously quite costly and difficult.
surges. The simplest takeaway for builders is: Don’t build And simply reinforcing the wall itself is not enough to head
I masonry homes without rebar and other reinforcement, under off cataclysmic damage from a storm. Other systems—windows,
ANY circumstances. I would apply this rule of thumb even to homes shutters, top plates—must be considered as well.

24 GREEN BUILDER January/February 2018 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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