Roof Spread Repair

Roof spread is often caused by the roof timbers being subjected to extra weight weight that they were not designed for.

Roof spread repair.

Inserting additional often lower collars tie beams between the trusses or rafters assists greatly in reducing roof spread and this consequently restrains the outward thrust on walls. This article describes a diy repair project using a site built spreader to straighten sagged roof rafters and decking. The collar ties are used in a similar way. Collar ties and tie beams are both construction fixes that can be installed in a roof frame to help stop or solve roof spread issues.

Roof spread occurs when there is a failure to adequately support the main rafters of the roof so as to prevent them spreading further open in a scissor type action. This is a prolonged process but can cause severe damage to the integrity of a home. As you work you will move back toward the end where your ladder is taking the bucket with you. This will ensure that any repairs or modifications undertaken will not harm the existing structure.

Roof flashing cement is a dense or thick sealant paste applied by trowel or from a tube used to seal small cracks holes gaps or at intersections of flashing or roofing and other building surfaces. The problem of resisting roof spread is a real one and it is always worth checking how roof spread is resisted when carrying out repairs or modifications to a timber framed structure. Either the roof starts moving downwards or the walls start pushing outwards. It has roof spread and to remedy it will mean a major expense possibly even taking the roof off.

Spreading roof structures turning our attention to roof structures spreading out of the a frame is often indicative of inadequate ties or decay at eaves level. With roof spread the ceiling joists normally act as collars restraining the rafters from pushing the walls outwards so new collars may need to be installed or tie rods inserted through the upper walls. Roof rafter decking sagging. When considering what to do about sags in a roof start by noticing if the sag is in sheathing between rafters page top photo0 or sagging along the length of the rafters.

Rotten timbers can be cut out and new timbers spliced alongside or bolted with metal plates. Use small amounts and apply it with the roller in short smooth strokes. Since the rafters are fixed to timber wall plates sitting on the head of the masonry wall then roof spread pushed out those wall plates in the process pushing out the masonry below. Tar the roof keep your tar bucket close to you as you start spreading the tar on the surface with the roller.

A case in point would be slates being substituted with concrete tiles a very common occurrence nowadays.