How To Fix Roof Trusses

For typical roof trusses used in light frame construction bolts are usually not used because of spacing requirements.

How to fix roof trusses.

When using nails to joint truss members it is also necessary to use lumber plywood or oriented strand board osb to join the members. If the roof truss has a small crack you will be using the two wooden boards to patch it up but if the crack is much more severe you should use the steel plates because they offer much stronger support to the damaged truss. Using a speed square square the marks across the wall plate and place an x on the marks. These trusses are usually engineered by a structural engineering company to carry a specific roof load.

Driving nails into it might make it worse place. When a truss becomes damaged cut or modified there is a chance of a structural overload or that they will not perform properly. Determine the size of the roof truss to be repaired. Fixing roof trusses to a wall plate requires a small amount of carpentry knowledge such as the abilities to read a tape measure and operate a framing square.

However you can create a temporary solution by following the steps below. After measuring the damaged area between your roof trusses or rafters cut a piece of 1 2 plywood that will cover the. Trusses come in different lumber widths 2 by 6 or 2 by 8. When working in tight and cramped quarters in the attic be careful where you step.

If a lot of trusses are damaged or one has been significantly modified or cut then consulting a engineer is wise. Inspect and assess the damaged section of timber and determine where it needs to be cut to prop the timber along it s length using suitably sturdy props such as acro props once supported cut off the damaged end leaving only solid un damaged timber now. To reinforce the ends of the trusses 3 4 inch plywood gussets were to be attached to both sides of each truss with 10d nails 3 inches on center on all chords. Sometimes structural screws are also used for truss repairs.

The first thing you need to do is to assess the damage. To keep the plywood from cupping under the load 2x4 squash blocks were to be inserted between the top and bottom chords. Glue a piece of 1 rigid styrofoam to the plywood.