TOPIC: Ridge beam and collar ties.

Anthony

I am curious on how you reported the following conditions of the pictures you posted.

Did you report as a major defect. A repair. Did you recommend a qualified specialist. Are permits required in this jurisdiction.

I agree there looks like some shoddy work.

Anthony, the purpose of the collar ties are to prevent rafter sag, if there is no sag no problem. Normally any carpenter that has passed carpentry100 will install first and not wait on the sag to occur, if you are in a snow load area you will have collar ties.
The ridge beam is not even required when the rafters are opposed to each other. I'll bet that if you could look at the plans, they call for a 2x8 ridge beam

With the amount of separation occurring at the ridge beam (could have been installed that way), I would be surprised if there is no uplift on the rafter ends.

Single plate knee walls are okay if the rafters sit above the studs, my concern would be what does the bottom of the kneewall sit on

good luck with this one

Tim

By the way that is a good shiplap on the gable, don't see that every day

definitively needs further evaluation, the potential snow load over time will be troublesome  to this type of construction 

AJ - did a tree fall on that end of the house?  That would necessitate a new end, and perhaps the contractor did not know his stuff.  I had a house once with foundation cracks on opposite ends of the house, in the same spot, with new roofing construction in the attic.  I noticed a space outside where an recent tree stump had been ground up.  Put all that together, and you have a fallen tree.

P.s.  The collar ties are to prevent the rafters from lifting UP - as they are here.  The ridge beam keeps the rafters from sagging.

Jay, you will find data to support both views, which is good.
I however will stand by my post as I expect you would stand by yours.

Have a great day

Tim