Save time and energy! Keep this article on-hand to avoid the top deficiencies we see during inspections. Use these tips in conjunction with the current structural drawings on site for success.  

Footings and Foundation Reinforcement 

1. Incorrect placement of horizontal bottom rebar in footing  – Setting the bar too high in the footing will not adequately support gravity loads. 
2. Incorrect placement of vertical rebar in foundation walls – Depending on backfill requirements or wood framing supported by foundations, the rebar placement is critical for the wall to resist bending. Refer to details on drawings in regards to which face of the wall the vertical bar should be placed. Take care where the foundation wall steps down from full height to a pony wall, rebar tends to change location in these areas.
3. Incorrect lap lengths for both longitudinal and vertical rebar assemblies – Splices in rebar sections occur and must be lapped as per structural specifications to achieve proper development of the rebar. Proper splice lengths are shown in a table on the first page of the structural drawings. 

Exterior Sheathing 

1. Incorrect nail types and nailing patterns – Nailing should always follow schedules (found on the structural drawings) that indicate nail type and spacing for both regular wood framed walls and shear walls. 
2. Excessively driven nails – Nails driven beyond 15% of panel thickness tolerance could lead to panels failing during a seismic event. 
3. Straps and hold downs not installed or installed incorrectly – Straps and hold down components should be installed as soon as possible, preferably by the time a building’s roof is on. The building is just as susceptible to a weather or seismic event as it would be after occupancy. These are vital pieces of hardware that can get overlooked. 
4. Connecting sheathing to underside of floor or roof diaphragms above – To properly transfer shear from wind and seismic events to the foundation, all floor and roof levels should be well connected via properly lapped plywood. The plywood is lapped between levels or blocking and hardware are used to achieve shear transfer. 

Framing 

1. Trades cutting critical components – Plumbing and pipefitting, HVAC, and electrical trades are often unaware of the necessity of keeping structural components completely intact. Penetrations in shear walls, severed or altered bottom and top plate assemblies, holes drilled through steel and wood beams and joists notched or drilled outside of acceptable tolerances are some examples. Avoid expensive repairs by consulting us in advance.
2. Hold down bolts not tightened – This is the most common deficiency – found at nearly 80% of job sites. Whether overlooked during installation or due to shrinkage in the building, many bolts are loose when inspected. Tightening bolts is a must to achieve the performance of the component. 
3. Deck ledgers inadequately connected to house – This is also very common and can lead to severe consequences. In 90% of cases, deck failure has shown that poor connection to the building leads to collapse, or worse, fatalities. Proper bolting and spacing are shown on the structural drawings and will ensure a safe gathering space. 
4. Simpson Strong Wall (WSW) – Top of wall plates are used for Simpson Strong-Walls Shearwalls® and come prepackaged with the panels, used for connecting the top of wall to framing. Commonly the plates are either missing, or still in their shipping spot as when the panel left the supplier. 
5. Tall wall/wind wall hardware not installed – Tall walls often require additional framing hardware to ensure the structure can adequately resist wind and seismic forces.Typically walls with a large opening for doors and windows or walls over 12 ft tall see increased detail requirements. 
6. Multiply ply girder trusses not fastened according to the truss suppliers’ specifications – Built-up load supporting roof members, known as girder trusses, are required to be fastened together according to the shop drawing nail type and pattern. These components are designed to work together, which using the proper nailing design ensures. 

We’re here to help. Feel free to reach out and connect about any of the deficiencies we’ve mentioned. As champions of efficiency, there’s nothing better than coming on site and having everything go smoothly for us all. 

By John Gerencser