How To Repair Cut Roof Trusses

This required cutting a truss.

How to repair cut roof trusses.

Depending on the manufacturer will depend on the types of plates you have. Truss repairs can be quite easy. The first thing you need to do is to assess the damage. Now measure and cut a replacement piece of timber.

When damaged or altered this can effect structural integrity of th e roof system. I write and teach on this subject if you d like to learn more it is never okay however to snip or heavily notch a truss. Run a support header underneath the ridge of your roof an engineer will be able to find the correct type and size for you. Next sit the new timber into the repair plate s.

Localized damage to one or two trusses will typically not result in structural failure of the roof system but could cause the roof or ceiling to sag. Next set the framing square on top of the rafter beam and use a pencil to trace the outside edge of the framing square s tongue. If a board is cracked then placing a similar board on each side of the broken one and bolting or nailing the three together may correct the issue. 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 cut roof rafters start by fixing the stair gauges on your framing square to the dimensions of your pitch. The phrase cut a truss should throw all builders into a cold sweat. Tighten that come along so as to exceed the original tension stress in the lower chord and its orignal support positions. Making any adjustments to your trusses without adequate supports in place can cause huge problems.

You can get away with drilling and notching beams rafters and joists if you know where it s safe. Take away the come along. Secure evenly across the board with wood screws. Weld the box to the steel extensions of the lower chord.

Once you ve marked the lines use your pencil to draw the diagonal length on the rafter. Apply the second patch to the other flat side of the truss and in line with the first patch. If the old timber is 8 x 4 inches then that is what you will need to use. The roof truss will regain its strength with the repairs.

Once you cut out the roof trusses the load bearing will shift to your new supports. If a part of a truss has been cut out then replacing the board or piece cut out is generally not to hard or expensive.