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.
How to fix roof trusses.
If a lot of trusses are damaged or one has been significantly modified or cut then consulting a engineer is wise.
When a truss becomes damaged cut or modified there is a chance of a structural overload or that they will not perform properly.
Determine the size of the roof truss to be repaired.
When working in tight and cramped quarters in the attic be careful where you step.
These trusses are usually engineered by a structural engineering company to carry a specific roof load.
The basics of the process are as follows.
After measuring the damaged area between your roof trusses or rafters cut a piece of 1 2 plywood that will cover the.
The first thing you need to do is to assess the damage.
Driving nails into it might make it worse place.
Glue a piece of 1 rigid styrofoam to the plywood.
Using a speed square square the marks across the wall plate and place an x on the marks.
Inspect and assess the damaged section of timber and determine where it needs to be cut to prop the timber along it s length using suitably sturdy props such as acro props once supported cut off the damaged end leaving only solid un damaged timber now.
Cut two pieces of lumber 4.
To keep the plywood from cupping under the load 2x4 squash blocks were to be inserted between the top and bottom chords.
However you can create a temporary solution by following the steps below.
How to fix a broken roof truss step 1.
Sometimes structural screws are also used for truss repairs.
Trusses come in different lumber widths 2 by 6 or 2 by 8.
For typical roof trusses used in light frame construction bolts are usually not used because of spacing requirements.