Altering A Truss Is A Bad Idea

At a recent inspection in Flatonia, Texas, I found that the garage trusses had been altered—weakening their ability to support the roof. Adding to the safety hazard is the fact that the roof of this garage doubles as a deck for the second story of the house. The clients were unaware of this hazardous condition until I pointed it out. The circled areas in the photos show exactly where the modifications were made. Trusses should never be changed without approval from a qualified engineer.

Because safety is a top priority, at every inspection I carefully check structural elements for safety risks.