How To Repair A Broken Roof Truss

Roof Trusses: Different Types and How to Repair Them

In this DIY project nosotros have a expect at roof trusses and find out all about the different types of roof trusses available today such equally the traditional fink truss, the Double W, the open plan and many others. As well find out what tin can crusade roof truss failure such as damp and rot and how to repair roof trusses while they are however in-situe minimising costs and hassle.

If you need any aid with roof truss or other roof beam problems, including rot and insect assail Holding Repair Systems staff will give you completely costless, no obligation communication on 01626 872 650. The data you demand may be in the project beneath. If not, call them.

Property Repair Systems offers you information regarding all types of roof truss component repair and treatment. This includes a helpline manned by experts. Click on the banner above to observe out more than.

What is a Roof Truss?

Roof trusses are frames made up of timber that is nailed, bolted or pegged together to form structurally interdependent shapes of great strength. Never remove, alter or cut into a roof truss without consulting a Structural Engineer: your roof could fall downwards!

Roof trusses have to withstand the weight of the roof timbers and coverings (the 'Expressionless Load'), plus a factor for your local Wind Load, plus a cistron for your local Snow Load, plus a Safety Factor. A Structural Engineer can check these figures – Holding Repair Systems offers an independent, qualified Structural Calculation service, if you need to modify or repair your roof.

Roof trusses come in all shapes and sizes to suit virtually every single pattern of roof. If you lot cannot find the truss you demand below y'all may demand to find a expert carpenter to build a traditional 'cut' roof. This means that your roof is fabricated upward from timbers on site. If your existing roof trusses are damaged in any style it is possible to repair them without taking your roof to pieces.

Types of Roof Trusses Available

Below you lot will find a selection of the most common types of roof truss design and what they are called:

Types of roof trusses — Types of Roof Truss

What Makes a Roof Truss Stand up?

The truss depends on three main characteristics, which can be given 'numbers' so that a Structural Engineer can calculate a safe load;

The strength of the timbers – modern trusses are very lightweight, so only structural kiln dried timber is used and it is usually pre-treated, to prevent insect and rot attack. You can specify the TRADA Strength Course when you buy timber – for example, C16 or C24 – if an Engineer supplies the Design information
The distribution of the load through the parts – the design is critical – if yous accept one component out, or weaken information technology (say by cut notches for pipes) information technology will be seriously weakened
The connection of the parts – the bolts, plates, screws, glue or pegs that hold information technology all together. These must not exist cutting or changed without professional advice

Timber resin splice kit — Timber-Resin Splice Repair Kits for roof trusses bachelor from Property Repair Systems

Timber resin splice repair unit — Timber-Resin Splice repair units fabricated to measure out for your truss available from Holding Repair Systems

What Causes Roof Truss Failure?

The biggest enemy of roof structures (apart from the notch cutting or hole drilling electrician or plumber) is Water.

Penetrating damp – water leaks – these lead to rot and insect assail, even in treated timber, which is not always treated all the mode through its thickness. Older buildings are most susceptible, specially where the rafters or tie beams sit down on, or in the walls. Treatment with boron based preservatives is essential if dampness has affected the wood
Rot and Insect Assault – normally associated with dampness, but mainly in older, pre-Second Earth war properties, where solid, non-cavity walls or thick random stone walls back up the bearing ends of the rafters and/or tie beams. Handling with boron based preservatives is essential to end the rot and insects from destroying the roof's structural bearings. These potentially damp areas require conscientious inspection with a torch and prodding with a screwdriver. Drilling with a small diameter Auger is brash, if you have any doubt almost the forcefulness of a component.
Joint Failure – modern roof structures mostly utilize 'nail plates' or plywood plates stock-still with nails, screws and glue. Older roof timbers were continued with Mortise and Tenon joints, plus wooden pegs. These tend to exist eaten away by woodworm and the roof beams so move, opening up the joints. Resin Repair, with Necktie Bars and injected resin, can solve this problem

How to Repair Roof Trusses

If you have found that you accept damaged roof trusses, joists or rafters then this tin be a big trouble and in plough crusade knock on effects such as sagging ceilings, sagging roofs, boosted load stress on other areas, transferance of the crusade of the damage into other materials e.g. woodworm can travel from one prepare of timbers to some other or damp and dry rot tin can affect bordering timbers etc….

Earlier any repairs are made it is essential that, firstly, the crusade of damage is identified and fixed as y'all don't want to go to the hassle and cost of repairing the damage just for it to come back in the hereafter because the root cause was not sorted.

Check all areas effectually the damaged area e.g. roof tiles, brickwork, mortar joints and pointing, chimney stack, water storage tanks, timber and woodwork (woodworm or infestation), plumbing/heating organisation and pipework and annihilation else that may exist unique to your property until you lot establish the cause.

Once this has been cured you can then look at getting the damaged timber(s) sorted. In about cases you lot have three options:

Removal and replacement of entire truss if information technology is beyond repair
Repair using timber resin splice
Repair using joist stop repair plates

Replacing an Entire Roof Truss

This is apparently in the worst case scenario if the timbers are then desperately damaged that in that location is no chance of repairing them and the simply choice left is to remove all damaged trusses and replace with new ones.

The costs and in turn the hassle involved can be massive equally most of if not all of the roof will have to come off and then that suitable access can be gained for removal and replacement to take place. In almost cases a crane or suitable lifting equipment will be needed to hoist the new truss in.

In some instances it is possible to remove the truss internally from within the loft space and then rebuilt but this depends on the type of truss and also the blazon of roof structure.

Badly rotten timbers — Desperately rotten timbers

Timber Resin Repairs for Roof Trusses

There is always the possibility in older backdrop that your rafters, joists or trusses may accept dropped at 1 end because over time the timber has get rotten and compressed due to long term exposure to damp.

Cheers to some incredible, even so simple technology (the patented Timber-Resin Splice Kit) it is at present possible to supervene upon sections of joists and rafters, in-situ. Accept a look at the images below to encounter how this works.

Repairing joists in-situ with timber resin splice kit

As mentioned, traditionally in this situation it would exist necessary to try and remove the entire damaged truss, joist or rafter and replace it with a new one. Every bit you tin can imagine this is certainly not a small task and can involve considerable cost and hassle especially if you take several damaged joists. In extreme situations, previously it may take been necessary and easier to remove the entire roof to replace these timbers.

With the introduction and evolution of systems such as the timber resin splice kit much of this hassle and stress can be removed and a repair tin can exist implemented much more than easily. The basis of the repair process is every bit follows:

Damaged timbers are identified and assessed and a decision is made as to whether they are repairable
Joist, rafter or truss is examined in more detail to determine the extent of the damage and the betoken along the length of the timber is identified where it is stable plenty for the splice to be applied
Suitable props are put in identify along the timber to support it during the repair and to take the load of the floor to a higher place and/or weight of the roof
The top side of the joist or truss will need to be accessed so loft boarding or flooring boards will need to be removed
Damaged section of timber is cut and removed leaving only salubrious timber
New timber section is prepared past starting time accurately measuring what's needed and so cut a suitable length. Next drill the required number of holes into the front face end of the timber along it'southward length and loftier tensile threaded steel confined are inserted and bonded in

New joist or truss section with threaded steel bars inserted and bonded
The existing timber section volition now need to be prepped to accept the new section. To do this y'all will need to cut a slot into the existing truss, rafter or joist in a "U" shape to the required length of the threaded steel bars in the new department of timber

Slot cut out in existing timber
The new department of timber is now put in identify with the threaded steel confined sitting in the slot. If all faces meet flat then they are bonded together
Now mix the resin as directed on the packaging past the manufacturer until it is smooth
Cascade the resin into the slot in the existing timber until you lot accept filled the space to the very summit. In most cases the resin will self level itself

Pouring resin into slot in timber
Leave the resin to harden every bit directed by the manufacturer

Hardened resin in slots in timber
Once set you tin can then remove the supporting props and supersede whatsoever floor boards or loft boards etc….
If you take several timbers that need repairing, each repair should be carried out i at a time.

Joist End Repair Plates for Roof Trusses

This method is not likewise unlike to using the method to a higher place. It involves cutting away the damaged cease and replacing with a new piece but this time the two sections are joined using galvanised steel plates.

The basics of the procedure are as follows:

Inspect and appraise the damaged section of timber and determine where information technology needs to be cut to
Prop the timber along it's length using suitably sturdy props such as acro props
In one case supported, cut off the damaged finish leaving only solid un-damaged timber
Now, measure and cut a replacement piece of timber. This has to exist the same size in width and depth as the old east.yard. if the old timber is 8 x four inches then that is what yous volition need to use
Next, sit the new timber into the repair plate(south). Depending on the manufacturer will depend on the types of plates yous take. Some will exist a "U" shape and some will be 2 "L" shape sections. Ensure that the timber is pushed flat confronting the base of the plate unit or plate sections so screw into identify using coach screws
Position the new timber with fixed repair plates into place with the not-plate terminate sitting in or on height of the wall depending on how the original was and ensure that the plate terminate sits over the original timber and that they are butted together firmly
Before screwing the plate to the existing timber it might be a good idea to become some other prop and position it under the plate and push information technology firmly against the base of the original timber
With both timbers joined securly in position you can now slowly release and remove the props
NOTE: Brand sure that y'all check you take the correct cease plates by post-obit the manufacturers guidelines. It is essential the plates themselves are capable of supporting the weight they will exist carrying!

To discover out more nearly joist stop plates and how they can be used in truss and joist repairs bank check out the PRS site

Joist end plate fixed to new timber setion — Joist end plate stock-still to new timber setion

As with whatever repairs to structural supports or structurally integral items in your home we certainly advise that you seek communication from a qualified builder/practiced in this area or structural engineer before you lot endeavor any fixes or repairs yourself.

If you need assistance with timber repairs, rot or insect assail, or with timber treatment products, Belongings Repair Systems staff will be pleased to give y'all completely costless, no obligation advice on 01626 872 650.

All project content written and produced by , founder of DIY Dr. and industry skilful in building technology.