Roof renovation may include, among other things, repairing the roof truss. In most cases, its renovation is the foundation for modernization and a starting point for further work covering other parts of the roof. What is worth knowing about this load-bearing element? What is its function? A roof truss is a carpentry structure, a frame (frame) made of high-quality, dried and impregnated wood (most often: pine, spruce, larch or fir). The use of wood from coniferous trees is not only a practical but also an economical solution. The covering is placed on the roof truss, so it is not surprising that it is considered the basis, so you need to make sure that it has impressive strength parameters, the maintenance of which will be maintained all the time.
Due to the way in which the individual elements of the roof truss are connected, the following types are distinguished:
- rafter truss,
- rafter-beam truss,
- purlin-tick truss,
- collar beam truss,
- rafter-collar beam truss.
The following components of the roof truss are indicated:
- wreath,
- murłata (murłata)
- rafter,
- purlin,
- ticks,
- truss,
- pole (stool),
- brace,
- sword,
- hanger,
- cross brace,
- pull-up,
- wind tower,
- overlay.
A properly designed truss gives the roof a specific shape and provides a stable support. Its main task is to transfer and evenly distribute the weight of the layers placed on it to the load-bearing walls of the building. Loads can be both constant (roofing) and variable (snow or wind). However, its angle of inclination determines the efficiency of rainwater drainage and whether snow will accumulate on the roof or not. When developing a roof truss design, you need to carefully consider its layout, because in the future it will translate into the possibility of developing the attic.
Solid and precise installation of the roof truss translates into the subsequent safety of the residential building and the household members, which is why it should always be performed by a team of experienced and qualified specialists. Specialists must use high-quality materials (construction wood of the appropriate class) and act in accordance with the basic principles of construction art. This will affect the durability of the roof truss and its failure-free operation in the future.
Knowing how important a role this structural element plays, we must take special care to ensure that it is always in good condition. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically inspect the condition of the roof truss. If such an inspection reveals any irregularities, it will be necessary to carry out renovation as soon as possible and eliminate its weak points.
What makes it necessary to repair or strengthen, and sometimes even replace, the truss with a new one? What are the reasons for faults? There may be many reasons. Most often, the culprit is moisture resulting from leaks, which leads to the formation of mold, fungi and rotting processes, which weakens the structure of the wood and makes it more susceptible to cracks and other damage. You should also pay attention to the effects of pests, for which the roof truss becomes an excellent habitat. Although bark beetles do not damage treated wood, damage can be caused by beetles such as the common bark beetle or the house beetle. The age of the roof truss is also important – the older the structure, the greater the risk of failure due to the natural aging process of wood.
Other causes include: excessive bending of the rafters, errors made at the assembly stage, improper ventilation, or damage caused by atmospheric factors (e.g. gusty wind, heavy rain, or large hail).
However, in this respect it is not worth relying solely on your intuition. What is important is that the intention to repair the roof truss should be consulted with a professional who will assess its validity with a professional eye and confirm the layman’s assumptions.
