Ran up into my attic to flush out the condensation drain for my ac and since it's hurricane season, started looking at my roof a bit. I'm seeing some separation between the main beam and my rafters in a few places. This is a 15yr old roof but most of the rafters date back god knows how long. House built in 1961. New roof is in the plans for next year. No straps anywhere. Anything I should do proactively at the obvious spots or just live with it and hope for the best?
Second question: when you do get a new roof put on, are things like this replaced or just adjusted to square them? I'm open to spend significantly more to make the roof as hurricane proof as possible since I live one block off the water.
Thanks as always.

Detailed photos to back up your report will net valuable advice here

Was this a spec.house or custom ... with architect drawings/specs?

Sounds like the BAT LIGHT needs to go up for Jason.

Has the separation been new or recent, or is it possible they have always been like that and were possibly short cut or mis-mitered at install? Do you have "collar ties"? This is what we always called them but I think there is a different 'proper' name for them. Are your walls bowing? Your rafters at the ceiling should be holding this thing up, so that's why I am wondering if they have always been this way. The structure should be held fast with your ceiling and joists.

Either way, this is a structural/framing issue, assuming it's an issue at all. I would take some measurements and devise witness marks so you can monitor monthly to see if it's changing.

To answer your question, typically, no, this would be well outside the scope of a typical re-roof. For what it's worth, when we re-deck, we often see all manner of mis-cut and mis-installed framing. It's not perfect and there are frequently gaps or spaces. If you truly suspect an issue, since you are on the coast, I would employ the guidance of a structural engineer to determine what, if any, corrective measures should be taken. I am NOT an engineer so I can only tell you what I see usually.

Shoot my bad. I took pics and then got distracted and didn't attach them.

I'm pretty sure this has been like this for a while (several years). My existing roof is actually sound but I have defective shingles which is why I will need the roof redone. No leaks. Actually spoke to Jason about this part (shingles) about a month ago. He was very helpful and looking forward to getting a quote from his company down the road. Just happened to be in the roof today and was looking around a little closer than usual. My roof has no cross ties either. So that's why was stating I'll need a lot of work.
Appreciate everyone's input. I'll take some measurements and write them on the beam next to it and check it every couple of months. Looks like I'll get an engineer out before I roof as well.
Thanks again.

double post

How many rafters are like that? Are they all on the same side? Is the entirety of the ridge?

That roof has new decking on skip decking. So that's good. We may have discussed it but I can't recall. It probably had shake roofing originally.

Based on that info alone and the fact that it can't separate without pushing the walls outward and the fact the new decking is attached to the old skip deck AND that rafter in question…..I'm banking on those rafters being short cut and the framer said f it and just sent 6 nails through. It's pretty common. It's been like that since it was decked and roofed and I'm almost certain of that. It may have been that way originally since that it's hand nailed and the nails are all bent up. It's hard to hand nail a loose rafter that's too short.

But there are a ton of smart people here that probably specialize a bit more in this that I think would have some good advice before too long. I'd await someone more familiar with framing. JP76 would know.

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Anything I should do proactively at the obvious spots or just live with it and hope for the best?

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If you want to be proactive you can sister a board next to the short ones and use a double joist hanger to attach it.

Jason_Roofer said:

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How many rafters are like that? Are they all on the same side? Is the entirety of the ridge?

That roof has new decking on skip decking. So that's good. We may have discussed it but I can't recall. It probably had shake roofing originally.

Based on that info alone and the fact that it can't separate without pushing the walls outward and the fact the new decking is attached to the old skip deck AND that rafter in question…..I'm banking on those rafters being short cut and the framer said f it and just sent 6 nails through. It's pretty common. It's been like that since it was decked and roofed and I'm almost certain of that. It may have been that way originally since that it's hand nailed and the nails are all bent up. It's hard to hand nail a loose rafter that's too short.

But there are a ton of smart people here that probably specialize a bit more in this that I think would have some good advice before too long. I'd await someone more familiar with framing. JP76 would know.

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So this would be towards the middle of the roof and the highest point. I only see three or four in a row and the rest look good. I'll have to walk the whole attic next time I'm up there to see. This attic is a nightmare to navigate. Not finished and has insulation covering the majority of the rafters.

87IE said:

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Quote:

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Anything I should do proactively at the obvious spots or just live with it and hope for the best?

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If you want to be proactive you can sister a board next to the short ones and use a double joist hanger to attach it.

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I may end up doing that if it looks like a bad storm is going to head our way. If not I'll leave it to the pros.