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Truss uplift phenomenon in a new build 2021

2 years ago

Hey everyone,

I'm experiencing what appears to be truss uplift and it was then confirmed with the builder as well. I live in Canada and it gets quite cold in Winter. I am surprised at the extent of the damage in my new house. We took possession in Sept 2021. We noticed the cracks along the ceilings and edge of walls just last month. Most of our corners also has cracks going the wall. We thought it was settling but now I know is truss uplift.. I am quite disappointed and afraid this is something I will experience every year. We were told that painters will come to fix it up in February even though the builder originally said they will come in March/April as I brought it up the fact that the cracks are getting wider and longer... How does one fix the gaps without using crown molding? And could this possibly mean the builder didn't do the preventative measures for truss uplift as I read on an article that newer homes don't usually experience this even though my builder said its completely normal. I have several new homeowners tell me that is definitely not normal and the damage is unacceptable (they did not build with my builder). Its all over my upstairs level. Corners, edges of almost every wall, cracks going down every corner of each room. I am disheartened.. Is there a permanent fix? Here are photos for reference. This is just a few out of the 50 photos I have...

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Comments (7)

chispa
2 years ago
I would hire a structural engineer to come look and make a report with recommended ways to repair this. You might want to get a second opinion too. Once you have that information, submit it to your builder, in writing, telling him what repairs you expect him to do to fix the problem.

If you builder refuses, then get a lawyer involved.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
2 years ago
I'd get a caulk gun before an attorney. Much better odds of winning and much less expensive.
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handymac, thank you for the suggestion. If it's what I think it is, I remember seeing it on This Old House's website where Tom Silva was putting up crown. He was going to nail it the normal way because the tutorial wasn't about truss uplift. But the same triangular-wedge 'cripple' could apply I think. The key, if I'm interpreting you correctly, is to nail the 'wedge' only to the ceiling and then nail the crown in the center of the wedge angling the nail up so as not to catch any of the wall. It's definitely worth a try. The only difficulty I can foresee is being able to nail that wedge into the ceiling and hoping the truss bottom (forget the term now) is right on top of - or at least overhanging a bit - the joist(?). You know, the structure at the top of the studs. Again, not sure of the term. If we don't catch that truss wood when nailing the 'wedge', which will be holding the crown, then we'd either be nailing into that joist and defeat the purpose or just nailing into ceiling drywall! I agree that those ring-shanks are the way to go for the wedge. So, perhaps that'll cover our a$$es if we don't catch wood. lsst, I've heard about that 'stretchy' caulk. Never tried it though. I think seasons and seasons of using regular caulk - that ultimately separated - kind of shied us away from anything that even had the word "caulk" in it. :( But I'll check it out again. If you have the name of the product you used, I'd really appreciate it. green-zeus, yes, that's the key to putting up crown for this purpose. Nailing it to the walls would defeat that purpose. As I said, the problem, thus far has been trying to figure out how to only nail it to the ceiling. The top nail surface on any crown doesn't leave much fudge room to nail w/o splitting the wood. But, handymac's suggestion sounds doable. At least it's worth a shot! :) I'm still curious if anyone's tried that peel-n-stick or polystyrene formed crown. Maybe I should make a separate post for that. Thanks again!
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worthy
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
If you're in B.C., Alberta, Ontario or P.Q, your home should be covered for structural defects by mandatory provincial programmes. However, minor settling and truss uplift cracking is unlikely to be covered unless it is a sign of a structural defect.

In Ontario, cracks in excess of 4mm would, however, be required to be repaired. See below.

But Alberta's Construction Performance Guide appears to take a stricter stand:

However, it doesn't cost you to file for an inspection and claim.

Here's an excellent guide to avoiding and disguising truss uplift in new home builds.

One crackup definitely not covered!

(When I was an Ontario licensed builder, I did only stick framing--except for one where the client's architectural technologist speced trusses to save a buck.)
PRO
maecom technology
2 years ago
Latex caulk is a good way to fill these gaps. Spread a bead of caulk along the gap with a caulk gun. Smooth the caulk with your finger and let the caulk dry overnight.
WestCoast Hopeful
2 years ago
We had many cracks like this when we built on 2018. Our builder and his team came in several times to correct it within the first Year of us living here and lots of it was settling I believe. Other than some unrelated issues with painting all the cracks stopped by one year mostly. We are in BC Canada and had no problems with getting this part fixed by builder. Other deficiencies were a headache big time. My big tip to you is to go through your new hoMe warranty and start a claim. If you don’t do this within the first year then it’s too late down the road and won’t be accepted
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
Now when people ask you how you like your home you can tell them it is up-lifting.
worthy
2 years ago
Just like a truss for inguinal hernias!

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