How Do I Repair Acracked Rafter

How to Repair Cleaved Rafters

Over time, broken or cracked roof rafters can appear when wood gets onetime and dry. Rafters can also be damaged by a blow to the roof from falling branches. Although the rafter must exist replaced if it is completely cleaved, smaller areas of damage can be repaired through the application of a scab board.

Repair damage to a rafter using scab boards.

This board is a section of lumber that is the same thickness as the rafter, and 2 feet longer on each side of the damaged section. A scab lath installed on each side of the damaged rafter is preferable to a board on just i side.

Tip

For greater forcefulness, install truss supports to the rafter on each side of the scab board area, running them downward to the floor (or to a horizontal rafter support on the floor) at a perpendicular angle to the rafter. Use the same size lumber equally the scab boards, and install them with the same size nails. This will help transfer some of the weight load from the broken rafter to the floor/horizontal rafter fastened to the floor.

Measure out the length of the damaged expanse on the rafter using a tape measure. Add 4 anxiety to this measurement.
Measure and mark two pieces of hardwood lumber to this length using the tape measure out, a carpenter's pencil and set up foursquare. Ensure that the lumber is the same thickness every bit the existing rafter (usually ane-one/ii inches, which is the thickness of a standard 2-by-4, 2-past-vi or two-past-ten plank). Cutting through the lumber with a circular saw or miter saw. Remove all splinters from the sawed ends of the lumber with medium sandpaper.
Mark each piece of the scab board on 1 side at its center using the pencil and set square (a 6-foot piece of lumber would be marked at 3 feet). Mark the side of the existing rafter at the center of the damaged section.
Position one of the scab boards on one side of the rafter with the heart marking on the board facing outward. Line upwardly the board'south center marking with the marking on the side of the rafter.
Driver galvanized 12d iii-inch nails through the scab board and into the rafter with a hammer. Blast simply in the 2-foot-long ends of the rafter that are non straight over the damaged department (the number of nails will exist determined by the width of the scab lath). Repeat the process with other scab boards.

The Drip Cap

Over time, broken or cracked roof rafters can appear when wood gets old and dry.
Although the rafter must exist replaced if it is completely broken, smaller areas of damage tin be repaired through the application of a scab board.
Mensurate and marking ii pieces of hardwood lumber to this length using the tape measure, a carpenter's pencil and ready foursquare.
Position one of the scab boards on one side of the rafter with the center marking on the lath facing outward.