Reinforcing A Sagging Gable Roof

Create a continuous load path.

Reinforcing a sagging gable roof.

Sagging rafters can lead to serious problems with the entire roofing system. If the sagging roof is due to rotting or warping roof decking the repair will be much easier. Once again a 2 by 4 inch piece of lumber is placed between the trusses and parallel to the ceiling joists. Should the bottom cord of one or more trusses be sagging or damaged it may be reflected in a sagging ceiling or if the roof is over loaded to heavy then the downward pressure may cause the sagging.

This is where a high pitched roof is necessary. Use your string line to determine how much the roof need to go up. The other is just used to support the trusses. This may be problematic in winter months but allowing the roof to continue to sag can lead to greater problems such as a cave in.

Sagging ceiling could be an indication of framing issues some of which could be related to the roof. These are usually accomplished during a complete re roofing. You will need to remove the shingles and the old decking however which means there will be an exposed hole in the roof. If your rafters are still sagging a bit and it is causing your roof to dish out a little in the center of the roof sides add a 2x4 that goes all the way across the rafters in the center of the length of the rafters.

Third install a shutter over any vents on the gable end wall. If you are building a new house with a gable roof consider using continuous wall construction or balloon framing. A great deal depends on the pitch of the roof. Reinforce your roof a properly constructed roof in areas subject to high winds has trusses attached to walls with hurricane tiedowns properly nailed sheathing and heavy duty shingles.

A higher pitched roof would be better for extra living space than a lower pitched roof. Sagging sheathing between rafters may be due to rot delamination use of fiberboard or other materials that may not perform well over the life of a home or due use of too thin plywood roof decking to start with.