facts

Let’s review the facts:

1. In 2004 Pulte decided to stop installing hurricane clips on valley truss connections. They decided to use two toe nails instead.

2. Experts say that toe nail connections shouldn’t be used in a hurricane-prone area and that hurricane clips have been an industry standard since the mid 1960s.

3. In January (2007) Pulte, Beaufort County Building Code Enforcement, and the Sun City Hilton Head Community Association (SCHHCA) were notified of concerns with the valley truss connections. Many valley truss connections have only one nail or no nails, the wood is split, nails are short, and there are gaps between the valley and main trusses. Pulte chose not to respond. SCHHCA steadfastly refused to get involved.

4. In January 2007 Beaufort County Building Code Enforcement responded by saying that they were aware of the problem and that "all trusses would be strapped according to code, including houses that are occupied".

5. Nothing happened until April 2007 when The Island Packet ran a series of articles on the problem.

6. Over 2,000 houses in Sun City built between 2004 and early 2007 were re-inspected because of the faulty connections. Many defective connections were found.

7. Pulte’s and the County’s “fix” was to insert a “toe screw” in the defective connections. Experts express concern with this “fix”.

8. Pulte has resumed installing hurricane clips on valley trusses in new houses that they are building here, but refuse to install them in houses that they built in 2004, 2005, 2006 and early 2007.


The photograph below shows valley roof trusses sitting on top of main roof trusses. The main roof trusses go front to back in the photograph; valley trusses go side to side. The connections between these trusses are the issue.