How to Reattach a Roof Truss to a Bearing Wall

Roof trusses need to be securely attached to bearing walls to keep a house structurally sound. Particularly in the event of hurricane winds, the strength of the connection between trusses and walls can make the difference between superficial damage and total destruction. When trusses become damaged or disconnected from bearing walls as a result of high winds or earthquake activity, they need to be reattached and reinforced, as soon as possible, to prevent the house from deteriorating.

4-inch-long screws
Drill
2 1/2-inch-long screws
Metal bands

Instructions

- 1
  Drive 4-inch-long screws at a 45-degree angle through the base of the truss and into the top plate of the bearing wall. Drive in three screws from each side of the truss to provide a strong connection that isn't vulnerable to twisting pressures.
- 2
  Screw the end of a metal band to the side face of the bearing wall with two 2 1/2-inch-long screws.
- 3
  Wrap the metal band up over the bottom chord of the roof truss. This is the flat, horizontal 2-by-4 that is the lowest part of the roof truss. Bring the band back down and screw it to the face of the wall with two 2 1/2-inch screws. You now have a connection between the truss and the wall that consists of six 4-inch-long screws and a metal band that is wrapped around the truss and screwed to the wall.

How to Tie the Roof Truss to a Beam

How to Put Hot Bitumen on a Flat Roof

Roof Repairs