My kitchen wall is out of plum.

[kenv]

Hi,
I recently did a 2 story room addition to my house. When everything was done and inspected my kitchen installer pointed out that my wall was 1 1/2 inches out of plum. I later measured it myself and see it os 7/8 inches out of plum. basically, the top of the wall leans outward. This wall is made of 2 pre-maid simpson strong walls ( 24 inches wide, 8 feet tall) and a 40 inches wide vinyl window in between them. I called the inspector and he said he has never seen anything like it but he doesn;t check for it unless it visibly stands out.
This wall is on the first floor and supports the master bathroom above it.

What do you guys think? Is this a concern? What should I do?

Thanks,

[Cole]

I would say it is a concern and to hire an engineer.

[toekneemac]

So it is 7/8 out of plumb not 1 1/2? 7/8 it is not an issue structurally. It may be for cabinets, but if it is know beforehand, then the proper measurment can be taken. But structurally no, it is not a problem. I am a carpenter, but if you are afraid to trust me, I understand. But over the years, I have done remodels on buildings that are 80+ years old, and if you could see how they were built, you would be amazed that they are still standing. Is it poor workmanship? Yes. Will your house fall down? No.

[Joe Carola]

Hi,
This wall is made of 2 pre-maid simpson strong walls ( 24 inches wide, 8 feet tall) and a 40 inches wide vinyl window in between them.

What's a Simpson Strongwall?

[Don_P]

A premanufactured shear wall;
http://www.strongtie.com/products/strongwall/index.html

There's contact info there kenv, I agree that its probably not a structural problem, but what a bad install.

[TnAndy]

What's a Simpson Strongwall?

Yeah.....I had the same question.....but after looking at their website, I take this a panel with metal refinforcement strappnig and a fastening system ? For high wind loads, like hurricane areas ??

Would it be possible to move the BOTTOM in or out to bring the wall into plumb ?

[Joe Carola]

Yeah.....I had the same question.....but after looking at their website, I take this a panel with metal refinforcement strappnig and a fastening system ? For high wind loads, like hurricane areas ??



It's amazing with some of the stuff they have and use out there for Hurricane areas.

We use nothing at all, for now anyway. We frame the walls then sheath them and that's it. No hardware like tie downs/straps or anything.

[Rich]

We don't use many in Western Montana either Joe. About the only item are some tie downs for uplift on trusses (over and above standard H clips). When I was in Bozeman MT we had all kinds of crazy wall straps and tie downs for earthquake.

[Pokey]

St Louis is a big "earthquake zone", even though the fault that goes through the area has been inactive forever, and as a result we now have to do all kinds of special things for shear walls, hold downs and everything else. I believe almost all of these items are in the 2003 IRC Codes, it is just a matter if every area adopts them. Don't worry i'm sure everyone will be so fortunate to have to do all of these extras sooner or later. MY ADVISE IS THIS. BY STOCK IN SIMPSON!!!!!

[David]

Hey Pokey, STL sure is in an earthquake zone. Of the top 10 earthquakes in US history, 8 were in AK and 2 were in MO.