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Question

I think I need the advice of a structural engineer. At the top of the back exterior wall of our 22 year old house a space is opening, now about 1 inch wide and running several feet horizontally. It looks like the roof is lifting away from the wall/house. The opposite interior wall has also moved to the point you can see daylight through the space where the wall meets the ceiling inside. Plus, the drywall on the interior wall perpendicular to the above mentioned wall has 2 horizontal cracks. This has been going on for about 3 years. What is happening? Thanks so much for your time! Judy

Submitted: 51 days and 3 hours ago.
Category: Home Improvement
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Accepted Answer

Hi and thanks for using JustAnswer.com.

It sounds like you have termites and they have eaten the lumber connections that hold the roof rafters to the floor joists. As these connections weaken, the roof starts to spread away from the walls. Sometimes the termites attack the center of the floor joist and the roof spreads taking the outside walls with them. In both instances you can see a definite sag in the(usually) center of the ridge line.

I hope that this information was helpful to you. If it was please remember to click "ACCEPT" on your screen to make sure that I am paid for my efforts. By clicking ACCEPT you are not giving up your ability to ask more questions pertaining to this subject, and I will be happy to respond to these as well. Please take a moment and leave feedback, it is very important!

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Expert: Stephen Cutler
Pos. Feedback: 99.3 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 10/2/2009

General C&ontractor

35 years of troubleshooting construction, remodel, component & material failures. What to do next

51 days and 2 hours ago.

Reply

I never thought about termites... I will check it out! Thanks so much!!! Judy

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