toenail or use brackets to attach truss to top plate?

[jjcold]

Okay, I'm having a house built, so I'm posting all my dumb questions here! it sure has been an education. I notice there seem to be a lot of different ways builders do things. I hope my builder (definitely economy, but I think the end product is acceptable - I hope!!) is doing it right.

I have noticed he didn't use those little angle brackets that attach the roof trusses to the top plate. It appears he just toenailed them in place, unless of course you go back in later and put those brackets in. the trusses went up Friday and the sheathing is getting put on today and tomorrow.

Any advice on this. Is toenailing the truss to the wall top plate adequate? Thanks.

[jjcold]

In searching around on the internet I learned those things are called hurricane clips. Now, I don't live in hurricane country (Seattle area!) We rarely get winds higher than 40 mph. I think the highest gust around my neighbor hood has been 65. would hurricane clips be a smart idea, or a waste of money?

[OHPG]

Hi,

Hurricane clips is a great name but doesn't mean there only used in hurricane country. In my part of where I help build homes. Hurricane clips are code (unless change sense I checked last).

Check your local building codes, call the office where building permits are issued and/or a local building inspector. One whose paid by the city or county you live in.

Hurrican clips add strenght to the connection between the walls and joists. Installation of them can take place anytime. As long as it's done before the drywall.

Again consult your local building codes. Consider calling a local architect and asking him/her.

Good luck

[CurtisS]

FYI...
I live across the Sound in Kitsap county and the clips are required by code. I would expect the same in King county. You had better look into this asap.

[Rich]

Yes - definately call your local building inspector. They are required on every other truss/rafter in western MT (by code) where there is little to no wind.

[jjcold]

Yea, this one really has me wound up. I'm going to talk with the builder about it tomorrow (if he's working on MLK day) and the building department on Tuesday. Of course, like a friend who is in the trade said (and says he's 99% sure they're required by code), the builder may tell me "Oh, they're in a box over there and going on Tuesday"

However, it seems rather far along (roof and shingles on, rough plumbing done, HVAC started) to be doing them now. but, I suppose I shouldn't be second guessing the contractors scheduling.

if they aren't code, and the builder isn't doing them, I'm going to buy the darn things and put them in myself! Do they need to be on every single rafter?

[Rich]

Not typically needed on every rafter - but they are pretty cheap. I personally would put them on every rafter no matter what code says because of that reason. Cheap insurance.

[jjcold]

They are cheap, I called the Lowes store (may shop around) and they were .19 each. If they had the right part in mind, that is. Something about that price tells me they may have quoted me on the clips that go on shingles, or roof sheathing.

Anyway, the reason i wondered about them being needed on every truss is that due to interior walls, plumbing, etc, I've now lost access on some trusses. There are about 5 or 6 around the house that I can no longer get to to swing a hammer. :lol:

[Rich]

I would think you are ok if you miss a few of them. I used to smash my fingers and scrape or pinch them until I bought an air nailer. My Grizzly framing nailer shoots 10d nails through most Simpson hangers - except the heaviest duty ones.
Wear safety glasses and shoot straight on.

[jjcold]

Well, a lot of sweating over nothing! visited the site today and the framer was there and said, "Oh, yeah, they're in that box over there. We just haven't put them up yet." So, I guess I won't get to smash any fingers over that one!

I had a friend who is a "retired" independent inspector look things over with me today, he said it all looks good. Not to worry. I can sleep better now. I said I felt the framing actually looked pretty good to me, and he agreed.

[Rich]

Right on.. that's good news.