House trusses are an integral part of the house's roof. They bear the weight of the roof (and any accumulated snow or debris that falls upon it) and form an attach point for walls and the ceiling below. Although trusses can be damaged in many different ways, one of the most common forms of damage occurs when a support plank splinters or breaks, often from an impact. You can quickly and easily repair this type of damage without hiring a carpenter. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Damaged Planking
1. Identify the damaged area and mark the area of the truss board that is weak or compromised. Measure the total length of the damaged section.
2. Cut a 2-inch by 4-inch plank into two equal-length sections that are a foot longer than the damaged area.
3. Put the cut planks over the damaged truss and use the C-clamps to hold them in place. The cut planks should be on opposite sides of the damaged board, sandwiching the broken area between them. Make sure the planks are centered so that there is 6 inches of overlap on both sides of the damaged section.
4. With the planks firmly clamped, drill six holes between the three boards, three holes on each side of the damaged section. The holes should be spaced about 1.5 inches apart and should not be in a straight line. The holes should be the same diameter as the bolt shafts--do not drill holes larger than the bolts.
5. Insert the bolts in each section and tighten them down, using washers with the bolt head and the nut. You may need to hammer the bolts in.
6. After all six bolts are tightened, remove the C-clamps.
Broken Joint
7. Identify the location where the metal plate has dislodged from the plank joint. If the plate has partially dislodged, remove it with a hammer.
8. Realign the planks. Use a hammer to push them together, if necessary.
9. Put the plate back over the damaged planks. Do not align the tacks to the original holes on the wood; reposition it slightly so that the plate can bite into fresh wood.
10. Hammer the plate into position. If necessary, use several roofing-style nails (short body, wide head) to reinforce the plate.
Tags: damaged section, damaged area, drill holes, holes should, over damaged, sides damaged
