How To Fix Roof Trusses

When working in tight and cramped quarters in the attic be careful where you step.

How to fix roof trusses.

These trusses are usually engineered by a structural engineering company to carry a specific roof load. 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. To keep the plywood from cupping under the load 2x4 squash blocks were to be inserted between the top and bottom chords. For typical roof trusses used in light frame construction bolts are usually not used because of spacing requirements.

However you can create a temporary solution by following the steps below. The basics of the process are as follows. When a truss becomes damaged cut or modified there is a chance of a structural overload or that they will not perform properly. How to fix a broken roof truss step 1.

Determine the size of the roof truss to be repaired. Driving nails into it might make it worse place. When using nails to joint truss members it is also necessary to use lumber plywood or oriented strand board osb to join the members. 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.

The first thing you need to do is to assess the damage. Sometimes structural screws are also used for truss repairs. Trusses come in different lumber widths 2 by 6 or 2 by 8. Glue a piece of 1 rigid styrofoam to the plywood.

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. 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. If a lot of trusses are damaged or one has been significantly modified or cut then consulting a engineer is wise.