Replace Cracked Roof Support

Correcting a problem joist is an easy repair and makes a big difference in your finished floor.

Replace cracked roof support.

My garage has a 17 2x8 ridge beam. At some point the roof drain clogged the roof turned into a swimming pool and this ridge board beam cracked tore in the middle. The roof is a v lowest in the center with 2x4 rafters nailed to the sides of this ridge piece. Over time roof rafters can wear crack or rot and replacements may be in order.

Rafter can usually be repaired or replaced from underneath without excess trouble broken ridge pole would normally be spliced with metal repair plates or sistered unless rotten because not feasible to replace it with roof in place to replace economically requires roof be opened up at the ridge at least. This will hold the weight of the porch roof while replacing the beam. 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. Things needed stepladder or attic stairs attic light or work light measuring tape framing lumber two by six or larger circular saw 16d framing nails hammer power drill with 1 4 inch drill bit 1 4 inch by 4 inch carriage bolts with washers and nuts socket and ratchet.

Rafter and joist systems are made up of two pieces of wood that run directly beneath the roofing surface and give it its shape while joists bridge the gap between the two rafter ends and support the whole thing. It s best to identify problem joists and fix them before installing your underlayment and new floor covering. These will serve as patches to be installed on each side of the broken roof truss. Clean the surface of the tile with a rag soaked.

This will give some added strength and take care of any cracks in the wood itself. Move the braces into place on top of the bottle jacks image 3 then raise them till they support the roof. Place the temporary beam with the old beam uncovered the temporary beam can be placed on the braces you ve made images 1 and 2. A severely arched bulged cracked or sagging floor joist can only get worse over time eventually deforming the floor above it.

Cut two pieces of lumber 4 feet long for the first phase of the repair. The first thing you need to do is to assess the damage.