Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Mar 08, 2010 7:54 pm HI all Lots of talk of getting a 3rd party in to do a frame inspection, but not what to look for. Most frames are pre fab and just stood up on site and nailed. Can someone may be, an owner builder tell me what to look for in this case? How do you know they have used the correct amount of nails? And the in the correct spots? I have heard some builderd can scimp on the nails a bit. IS it better to have more nails than required, I think so? All the rest seems too simple to stuff up as the wall frames go on the lines marked onn the slab, simple? Room sizes are correct as they have been checked and the interal frames are on the lines. What about window and door jams? Any help or sugestions would be just great. What was wrong with you frame, anything? Let me know so I can check mine for the same problem. Thanks all REgards KW................. “It's just as unpleasant to get more than you bargain for as to get less” George Bernard Shaw. Re: DIY Frame inspection 2Mar 08, 2010 8:34 pm Not an expert howover there are some things the need to be considered. 1. Each wall should habe bracing 2. Bracing boards should have nails at 50mm (???) on the bottom and top but can be further away on the vertical. 3. Lintels need to be the correct height (and width) for the span. 4. Check for fault in the truss's/ For example damage bottom cords or may simply may have ahe large knott that has been overlooked. 5. The trusses need to be installed as per the design 6. Wall should not be loose and wobble when you try to move it. 7. All noggins should be in place between every stud. If you have 3m walls then you need two noggins in between. 8. For colorbond roof trusses need to be tied to top plate. And for some wind cat the studs need to be nailed to slab at every second stud. 9. There should also be a double studs under gerder (spelling sorry) truss. Re: DIY Frame inspection 3Mar 09, 2010 7:21 am Not an expert either but DH under guidance from FIL (building designer) did ours (with the PCA). He spent alot of time (days to weeks) preparing for it and its not really something "simple" that you can just put up a DIY guide. DH has an engineering background which helped with all the technical aspects and he did heaps of reading of manufacturer's installation guides (bracing, joists etc), as well as BCA/AS. Sure the frame comes in prefab pieces and the carpenters put it up but this is the structural element of your house and I have to agree with Borg... 1. The bracing plan is very important - this is what stops your house falling down. These may be cross braces, straps, sheets of ply, angles etc. We did have walls that didn't have bracing but the bracing must be to plan and installed as per the bracing manufacturer's installation guide. This may require nails, masonry bolts etc 2. Nails are important - not just number but location, thickness and length. Info for this is in the installation guide for the bracing company as well as nominal fixings (BCA requirement) 3. Is your house one storey or two... the connections between walls upstairs and floor beneath important (also as per installation guide of joist company) 4. Nominal fixings (BCA) 5. Connections between timber and steel - lintels/beams/girders etc (Engineers drawings/details as well as manufacturer's installation guide) 6. Roof truss and cord connections to rest of frame (Again manufacturers installation guide, BCA requirements). 7. Are you building in QLD... they have a higher wind rating due to cyclones and must have rods inserted through the frame. 8. etc etc etc So KW, I think if you're wanting to do it yourself, you're going to have to get the details of your bracing plan, floor joist manufacturer (if building 2 storey), engineering drawings for any girders installed and that would be a good place to start. There is a reason that experts get paid alot of money to do the inspection. Never argue with an idiot they drag you down to their level & then beat you with experience - Dilbert View Thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19733 Contract signed 14Sept Slab 30Sept Bricks laid 1Dec Lock up 26Feb Keys 10Jun Re: DIY Frame inspection 4Mar 09, 2010 1:52 pm Thanks to all Good stuff, and it all makes sence, you get an expert you have to pay for one. Im up with most stuff but definetly not 100%. The frame in importaint, yes you are correct so to the slab. The rest of the house is cosmetic. Well sort of. Thanks, will check the plans again and may be get an inspection done, its a once in a life time expence. Cheers & thanks KW............... “It's just as unpleasant to get more than you bargain for as to get less” George Bernard Shaw. This is 100% true. You can not hang anything on steel frames. very frustrating 8 8014 Assuming the structure of your cabinetry is good then I would DIY everything as follows: - replace your counter tops entirely, - replace all drawer runners with soft close… 1 4782 |