Aroof truss is used to help hold up the roof of your home. Generally, a roof truss will not require too much maintenance and repair if it is installed correctly. It is important to keep an eye on your roof truss for signs of damage or wear down. A broken roof truss can cause very serious problems, which includes the possibility of your roof collapsing. Be sure to see how to install roof jacks

Causes and Prevention of Roof Truss Damage

Exposure damage is one of the main causes for damage to a roof truss.  If there are leaks in the mortar joints or the roof itself is not secure, moisture can get into the roof trusses.  Once this exposure happens, the roof truss is susceptible to insect infestation and temperature damage.  To help prevent exposure damage, it is imperative that you maintain a properly waterproof and sealed roof.

If the original roof truss is made from lesser quality material, the roof truss may suffer from damage due to the material being insufficient for the structural demands that are required.  Check to see if there are signs of bowing, splitting, or any other damage to the roof truss.    Make any repairs needed.

Fixing a Damaged Roof Truss

Working on a roof truss could be dangerous.  If you are not sure of what you are doing, it is best to contact an engineer.   It is important that you fully understand the function of a specific roof truss or even a portion of that truss.  It is equally important to understand the scope of damage.

Materials and Tools

• 2x6 or 2x8 pine lumber
• 3.5 inch wood construction screws
• Screw gun

Steps

1. Determine the problem.  When in the attic, be careful where you step.  Rafters are spaced at 24 inches apart.  The area in between will break through easily.  Any pressure can cause the ceiling to collapse.  Place a 2x8 scrap board across the top of the ceiling rafter for a temporary floor to stand on.
2. Determine the size of the roof truss that needs repaired by measuring across the width of the roof truss.  Roof trusses come in different widths, which are 2x6 or 2x8.  A 2x6 truss will measure at 5.5 inches.  A 2x8 roof truss will measure at 7.5 inches.
3. To patch the broken roof truss, cut two pieces of lumber 4 feet long.  They will be placed on each side of the broken roof truss.
4. To attach the roof truss patches, place the 4 foot board against the flat side of the broken truss.  Make sure the same amount of patch will rest on either side of the break or be sure the break is centered in the middle of the patch.  To secure the patch on one side of the break, use wood screws.  Have someone else apply pressure until the truss is realigned.  Then secure the other side of the patch with wood screws.
5. Put the second patch in line with the first patch.  Secure with wood screws evenly across the board.  The roof truss will regain its strength with these repairs.

Bracing the Existing Roof Truss

The existing roof truss may need to be braced with reinforced steel braces.   The location and type of bracing will be determined by where the damage has occurred on the roof truss and how severe the damage is.

When a steel brace is used for reinforcing, it will generally have one end nailed into the ceiling joist and the other end nailed into the roof rafter.  The brace will have a deep rib that will extend longitudinally from one end to a position beyond the center of that brace.

It will also have a laterally spaced apart deep rib that will extend longitudinally from the other end to a position beyond the center of the brace in the opposite direction.  This ribbed steel brace will need a flat surface at the ends in order to adjoin the oppositely disposed ceiling joist and roof rafter for nailing onto.

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