The house is in the uk . (built 10 years ago )so the roof is made of the modern style trusses . W sort of shape supporting the roof . these are 70mm by 35mm thick supporting the roof wood (90x35)mm.
All these trusses have been joined by straps of wood nailed to them 2 diagonally across and two horizontally.they look like temporary pieces just put in to support the trusses during construction and I would like to remove them so put I can put plasterboard onto the roof . Is it possible to remove them or will it make the roof unstable ?
Thanks for anyone who knows the answer to this .
2007-05-18 12:03:15 · 21 answers · asked by dont know much 5 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
DO NOT REMOVE AT ANY COST, ignore the fools who tell you you can remove them, yes in the Early '70s when we put up roof trusses we used small amounts of timber to brace the trusses to hold them in place until the tile battens were fixed, these timbers were often left in.
It was thought the tile battens would be enough support for the roof at this time.
In the late '70s a large amount of roofs started to twist and push the end gables out, some actually collapsing.
Building regs called for all truss roofs to be braced with horizontal and lateral braces (100mm x 25mm ) and to be fixed to the gable walls with galvanised angle brackets.
If you do not have these braces in your roof, when you come to sell some surveyors insist they are put in.
So in short, any braces that are fixed between one wall and another or from the ridge (top of roof) across the trusses to the wall plate (lower level) should not be removed without the advice of a "STRUCTURAL ENGINEER".
ultimately this would void your buildings insurance if they were tampered with and anything happened to your roof.
any small pieces of wood spanning just a few trusses could possibly be removed, but be careful.
2007-05-20 09:33:48 · answer #1 · answered by Kernow Lover 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Plywood that was used to sheet your roof will hold your trusses in place now. Those pieces of wood were used during construction to hold the trusses. Must have had a lazy framing contractor to not remove them. I'm surprised the inspector didn't call him on that.
If they are at about a 45degree from the ridge to the ceiling joists on gable ends of your roof, leave them alone. This is only on a gable roof. If you have a hip roof. You can take them out. Hope this helps.
2007-05-18 13:22:23 · answer #2 · answered by Dak 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can remove them they were put there when they set the trusses to keep the spacing correct and to support them until the roof sheeting is put on. Most contractors take them off while they are sheeting so they can adjust the trusses while sheeting they must have done a good job lining them up the first time. Your roof is not going to collapse from taking off a couple of lateral braces. If its a gable roof there will be one on each end gable those are for wind and are code required.
2007-05-18 13:52:29 · answer #3 · answered by TALLEYMAN 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay. I asked a professional about your question and He says that the trusses are capable of supporting the roof and doesn't need the wood pieces, they were installed to help give support until everything was in place and fastened. It would be a good idea to have someone take a look and make sure everything is fastened and installed correctly before removing them.
2007-05-18 12:23:27 · answer #4 · answered by LADY ~ 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No-No-No! Your roof is designed for slight movements. Any alterations to the trusses will affect the whole house. If an alteration is to be considered-it must be anilyzed and engineered by a Master builder. The complicated formulas that resulted in your trusses are the bare minimum for the job they do. Any cutting will result in failures of massive proportions without prerequisite engineering.
2007-05-18 12:29:09 · answer #5 · answered by racer123 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If they don't span more than a three trusses, they are very likely used to hold the trusses in place while applying the sheathing and can be removed. If they are long and run between structural points, maybe between two beams, they are likely structural stiffeners and should not be removed.
2007-05-18 12:09:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Soak your finger in epsom salts (can be found at any drug store) and warm water... Watch for infection... If the piece of wood doesn't come out in a day or so you may need to see a dr.... The Dr will give you a small shot of local anesthetic and pull the piece of wood out with a pair of tweezers... In the most severe cases the Dr. may have to split the nail in order to get at the splinter of wood... In order to do so they will use a tool that looks like a pin with a very hot tip that burns a hole in the nail... This will be done under a local anesthetic.....
2016-03-19 08:09:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is 'cross-bracing', it helps to stop your roof trusses from folding like a pack of cards in high winds. Remove them at your peril, a surveyor will pick this up when you come to sell, if your roof doesn't collapse in on itself in the mean-time. If you want to re-design your loft space, get a carpenter in to do it, they know what they are doing and can re-strengthen the roof in such a way that the bis that you don't want CAN safely be removed.
2007-05-18 12:20:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No DO NOT remove them. They are a part of the roof truss they are engineered to take specific loads and if you remove them the roof will sag or collapse.
2007-05-18 13:33:22 · answer #9 · answered by philliesmeyer 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most roof trusses require strapping or 2x4 bracing for strength and are not meant to be removed. Removing them can void warranty and might effect any insurance claim if you have a problem. Leave them in place
2007-05-18 12:25:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋