How to Reinforce a Cracked Roof Truss

A roof truss distributes the weight of a roof over a large area, making the entire structure stronger and more stable. When one element of the truss is cracked, it affects the stability of the whole thing. Trusses get cracked while they are being moved or during construction. The purpose of a truss crack repair is to make the cracked part of the truss as rigid as it was before it cracked, thus returning structural strength to the entire truss.

2-by-4-inch lumber
Construction adhesive
Screws, 4 inches long
Drill

Instructions

- 1
  Cut two pieces of 2-by-4-inch lumber to use as splints for the truss. The longer the pieces are, the stronger the repair will be.
- 2
  Spread construction adhesive over one face of each of the 2-by-4s.
- 3
  Place one of the 2-by-4s against the side of the cracked truss so that the crack is in the center of the 2-by-4, with the construction adhesive between the 2-by-4 and the truss.
- 4
  Screw the 2-by-4 onto the truss using 4-inch-long screws. Put the screws in far enough to hold the 2-by-4, but not far enough that they go through the other side of the truss.
- 5
  Place the other 2-by-4 on the other side of the truss so that the truss is sandwiched between the two 2-by-4s. Screw this 2-by-4 onto the truss with 4-inch-long screws. Drive the screws all the way in so that they go through the 2-by-4, through the truss and into the first 2-by-4 that you put on.
- 6
  Go back to the screws that you put in in step 4 and drive them the rest of the way in so that they go through the truss and into the opposite 2-by-4.
- 7
  Put in more 4-inch-long screws from both sides. The more screws you put in, the stronger the repair will be.

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