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 Some
time right
before the
drywall
is hung
in your
new home,
check to
see if there
is a gap
between
the headers
and the
cripples
they rest
on.
A "GAP"
will occur
as the header(usually
2 2x12's
nailed together)begins
to shrink
due to its
drying.
The cripple
acts as
the support
for the
header and
the header
acts as
the support
for the
load above
it.
The gap
between
the header
and cripple
can be anywhere
from a 1/16"
to 1/4"
or more.
Shimming
of these
gaps is
to prevent
the header
from settling
into the
gap.
If you've
been to
an existing
home and
the homeowner
complains
that a couple
of the windows
open hard
or don't
close easily
or the top
of a door
rubs against
its frame,
this could
be from
the header
settling.
The settling
may also
cause drywall
cracks at
the top
corners
of all interior
and exterior
doors along
with the
windows
of your
new home.
We use
cedar shims
that are
sold by
the bundle
and we drive
them in
until they
break.
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