How to Brace Roof Trusses if the Roof Is Creaking Under the Weight of Snow

Roof trusses can be braced with 2-by-4's.

Roof trusses are the basis of the roof on any home or building. They are most often built up at an angle coming from the top of the house. These trusses are made of 2-by-4 pieces of lumber of various lengths depending on the size of the roof. Sheathing or plywood is installed on top of the trusses and then shingles or another form of roofing is placed on the sheathing. The weight of snow can sometimes be harmful to your roof and cause it to sag. You can brace your roof trusses with 2-by-4's to help support the weight.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Tape measure
• 2-by-4 lumber
• Circular saw
• Drywall screws
• Power drill
• Safety goggles

Instructions

1. Climb up into the attic of your house where the trusses are located and find all the trusses that are visibly sagging. Mark their locations with a pencil. Locate trusses that are strong and mark them along the bottom.

2. Measure the distance from the top of the sagging trusses diagonally down to the bottom of a truss at the front end of the house that is not sagging. Record the measurement. There is no set measurement for bracing the trusses. It can be various distances depending on your attic.

3. Mark a 2-by-4 at the desired distance it will need to be cut to so it can attach to the sagging truss and a stronger truss. Line up the blade of a circular saw to the 2-by-4 and cut carefully along the marked line. Set the 2-by-4 diagonally so it reaches from the sagging truss to the truss on the ground.

4. Screw the 2-by-4 to the truss with drywall screws and a power drill. Insert three screws into the boards along the top and three more along the boards at the bottom. Grip the 2-by-4 and verify it is secure in place and helping to brace the sagging trusses.

5. Line up the second 2-by-4 at the desired location and install it diagonally in the exact same manner. Continue around the attic until all of the sagging trusses are braced with 2-by-4's.

Tips & Warnings

• Be extremely careful when you are bracing your sagging trusses. If there is enough snow on the roof, it is possible for the truss to collapse and the entire roof to cave in.

• There could be condensation in the attic from the sagging trusses and the snow melting on the roof. Be careful when you are walking around in the attic as the floors could be slippery.

References

• BIY Today: How To Raise And Secure Sagging Roof Trusses