Repair Broken Roof Rafters

Repair damage to a rafter using scab boards.

Repair broken roof rafters.

A cracked roof rafter can create a sagging and unsightly roof. Overview from time to time an attic rafter will split along a knot typically after having a new roof installed because of the workers walking around on it. Although the rafter must be replaced if it is completely broken smaller areas of damage can be repaired through the application of a scab board. Obviously this is not a good situation as it can cause the entire roof to fail if not addressed.

Repeat the process for the joist beneath your old roof rafter. Before you can purchase the l channel you need to know the size of the rafter. Measure the dimensions of the old rafters beneath your roofing surface. Regardless of the cause a split rafter must be repaired to ensure the.

Over time broken or cracked roof rafters can appear when wood gets old and dry. An l channel that is 1 by 1 and at least 2 feet long should be adequate for most rafters. Rafters can split as a result of excessive weight on the roof or damage from fallen objects such as trees or power poles. Repairing this is called scabbing.

A laser level was used to throw a straight line to determine when each pair of jacked rafters were straightened and the new collar tie could be attached. Rafters can also be damaged by a blow to the roof from falling branches. Use your tape measure to record the distance of both rafter legs. Use a circular saw to cut two sets of new rafters from the same size wood by the same dimensions.

Drill a pilot hole in the wood through each of the open holes in the angle iron. Step 1 measure the damaged rafter.