Should these joists go back to the merchant?

[Watshot]

Took delivery of some joists today and about 10 of 25 have very large holes where the knots have dropped out, some at midspan, effectively making a 6x2 now 4.5x2. See pictures. They all have very large knots whether missing or otherwise, that feel loose or soft, the timber is very damp.

Also had 12 other size joists and these are all fine, clearly a different 'batch'. Everything is stamped up, i.e. Sawn Kiln Dried Treated C16/C24. BS whatever.

Just confirmation really, should I be sending just the holed ones back, or the whole batch of 25 as being suspect? Thinking along the lines of just because it's stamped doesn't mean it's going to work properly, take electrical goods for example. Many thanks. View media item 15321 View media item 15320 View media item 15322 [/img]

 

[regsmyth]

They look like they've been preservative treated for external use. Not likely they'll be C24 structural grade. What are you planning on using them for?

 

[^woody^]

Couldn't you run the cables or pipes through there - it will save on notching


Joists/rafters work in a load sharing arrangement, and not individually, so these would be fine

If the knot was still in the timber, would you have the same concerns?

If you want, nail an off-cut or piece of ply along the side

 

[kevindgas]

they are not as they should be, return them as being unacceptable. you have a right to correctly proportioned timber which these are clearly not.

 

[big-all]

these are structural timber they should have a very small proportion off small dead knots perhaps 10%
if they are joists any dead knot less than 1/8th the size would be ok as long as the knot is on the upper edge
if they are vertical timbers in a frame they will be fine even the odd 25% missing on the edge a single hole centraly placed with 50% missing on a vertical timber wont effect the overall strength

if you cant easily work the timber into your 10% wastage then send it back

 

[Watshot]

Reg, they are SC3 for a loft conversion. They do look very green from the preservative...

Woody, I agree, I would not be concerned about one or two, but most are looking like they could end up this way, and what with the rules on notching I think some of these 'ready-made' notches are pushing it.

I'm inclined to agree with Kevindgas, I shouldn't have to spend time reinforcing them, although I accept that you (Woody) only suggested that as a piece of mind remedy rather than a necessity

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

[Watshot]

Thanks Big-all, I think they're going back!