| My wife and I live on the coast of South Carolina, | | | | is a necessary method used to secure the roof |
| and we decided a few years back to build our | | | | from uplift. Also keep in mind that all rafters must |
| own house. We had never built a house, and were | | | | be strapped, even those that are supported by |
| definitely in for an interesting experience. When | | | | interior walls. |
| you build your house, it will be a good idea to | | | | Sometimes a system of threaded rods are used |
| have a checklist of things to look for during | | | | for the wall tiedown. If this system is used, verify |
| construction. Here is one such list of items. | | | | that these are installed at the correct spacing and |
| Get out there! This is your house, so get involved, | | | | distance from the posts. During the construction |
| and look at the house as it is being framed! You | | | | of our home, we had to meet with the builder to |
| may not understand construction, but you can | | | | correct the location of these. |
| look at some basic components and gauge | | | | Gable Bracing - If you have a gable roof, verify |
| whether the project is being constructed the way | | | | that the gable ends are properly braced. Also for |
| it should be. It is a good idea to get to the job | | | | gable roofs, check that the overlook rafters are |
| site as much as you can. I tried to visit the | | | | strapped to the wall. Both of these items were |
| project daily, and no less than once per week. | | | | required to be corrected during the construction |
| Plans - First, review the plans yourself, and | | | | of our house. |
| understand what is expected from the contractor | | | | Plywood - Check that the plywood is nailed |
| and framer. The house plans, and especially the | | | | properly. There should be a nailing pattern defined |
| structural plans - if provided - will provide all of the | | | | on the plans. In our County, the inspectors |
| necessary requirements to meet the hurricane | | | | typically require that the nails be spaced at no less |
| code. I am a structural engineer myself, and | | | | than three inches on center along the edges of |
| recommend retaining the services of a competent | | | | the plywood, and spaced six inches apart on the |
| engineer who understands hurricane engineering. | | | | interior of the plywood. Also check that the nails |
| Anchor Bolts - Check that the anchor bolts are | | | | are not overdriven into the plywood. The plywood |
| the right size and spacing, and that they are | | | | is the "glue" that holds the house together, and is |
| centered on the sill plate. | | | | quite important to its hurricane resistance. |
| Framing - Evaluate the roof and wall framing for | | | | Windows and Protection of Openings - Check that |
| conformance to the framing plans. If you do not | | | | your windows meet the necessary wind pressure |
| have framing plans prepared, you may want to | | | | for the wind zone you are in. Check that you |
| reconsider this decision. If you do not have the | | | | have the appropriate protection for the windows. |
| house engineered, at least have the contractor or | | | | Such protection includes impact resistant glazing, |
| a draftsperson to prepare a drawing showing | | | | hurricane shutters, hurricane panels, or plywood |
| what they propose for the building frame. Many | | | | panels. |
| lumber yards have someone on staff that can | | | | There are many components of a house, and it is |
| prepare a framing layout for your house. | | | | nearly impossible to check everything. The items |
| Strapping and Tiedowns - Verify that the rafters | | | | that are listed here provide key areas that should |
| are strapped to the wall and that the wall is | | | | be followed. If these things are not being followed, |
| strapped to the foundation. Each point of | | | | then you will want to go over them with your |
| connection must be strapped. This is referred to | | | | contractor. |
| as a "continuous load path" to the foundation, and | | | | |