Repairing Rotted Roof Rafters

Use a circular saw to cut two sets of new rafters from the same size wood by the same dimensions.

Repairing rotted roof rafters.

Although it is a straightforward process it is necessary to take your time to ensure a solid repair. Rotted wood rafters in a roof are a serious issue. To be on the safe side apply a waterproof wood sealant to the other rafters to protect them as well. Use your tape measure to record the distance of both rafter legs.

Step 1 place a stepladder or extension ladder under the rafter end with the most damage. Remove an area of the roof shingles from the edge of the roof to the upper line of the overhang using a 16 inch nail bar and hammer to pull the roofing nails. Fortunately repairing rotten or weathered eaves is a relatively simple project that you can do yourself without ever having to climb onto your roof. Cut off the rotted rafter tail with a reciprocating saw.

Cut a piece of 1 by pressure treated lumber that is longer than the replacement board by 4 to 6 inches. Keep your fingers away from the blade at all times. Replacing rotted rafter ends on a gable roof is a matter of removing the existing ends and installing new wood. Always use a blade guide when working with a circular saw.

Repeat the process for the joist beneath your old roof rafter. Remove weak spongy wood preserve and protect wood wi. The new section of timber is now put in place with the threaded steel bars sitting in the slot. Measure the dimensions of the old rafters beneath your roofing surface.

Apply a resilient weatherproof coating to the new pieces then secure them using stainless steel nails. To do this you will need to cut a slot into the existing truss rafter or joist in a u shape to the required length of the threaded steel bars in the new section of timber. Start by prying away the bottom and sides of the old eaves and cutting new materials to match. This video shows from start to finish the repair of rotted endbeams on a house using the endrot system.