How To Replace A Rotted Roof Rafter

Use a reciprocating saw to chop out the rotted rafter.

How to replace a rotted roof rafter.

Use a hammer and nails to. Measure from the end of the rafter tail to the area of good wood with a tape measure. The rotten wood will come away easily. Discard the wood in a.

Cut off the rotted rafter tail with a reciprocating saw. Cut a replacement board from 2 by pressure treated lumber that is the same size and width as the rafter tail you just cut using a circular saw. 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. Measure the dimensions of the old rafters beneath your roofing surface.

If it shows signs of rotting water damage or other wear you ll need to chop it out using a reciprocating saw. Cut a piece of 1 by pressure treated lumber that is longer than the replacement board by 4 to 6 inches. Cut a replacement piece from pressure treated lumber. Slide one of the newly cut rafter legs into position directly next to the old rafter.

Note that a squirrel had built a large nest above the soffit shown here. Assuming it s in good shape you can leave it in place and install the new materials around it. Remove the rotted wood with a chisel and pry bar. Screw a new section of rafter to the old one to reinforce the tail.

If the entire rafter was rotten use the length. Cut out the section of the roofing. Pull down to remove the old soffit. How to replace the rafters without removing the roof step 1.

Be careful not to damage any nearby roof shingles or flashing. Make the new section twice as long as the rafter tail. Replace rotted lookouts so you have a good nailing surface for your new soffit boards photo 7. When measuring extend the.

How to replace rotted wood rafters step 1. Use your tape measure to record the. Install new 2x4 lookouts to replace rotted ones or screw a new one to the old one if it s mostly sound. How to replace rotted rafter ends on a gable roof step 1.

Examine the condition of the rafter the thick beam running the length of the overhang. Measure the length of framing wood needed with a measuring tape.