Knowledge Builders

what causes roof spread

by Deron Ward Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Roof spread affects a roof that begins to move after it is installed. Factors that cause the situation include bad construction, improper materials and water and rot problems. Roof spread can be dangerous for a house and very damaging for a roof.

Full Answer

What prevents rafter spread?

Rafter tiesRafter ties are installed between opposing rafters, and they should be installed as close as possible to the top plate. Rafter ties help resist the outward thrust that rafters exert on the exterior walls. They help keep walls from spreading due to the weight of the roof.

What causes roof deflection?

Deflection refers to what happens when the strength of a roof beam is overtaxed by excessive weight. In essence, it bows downward, thus forming a gentle declivity. Such declivities are most common in the middle of the roof–that is, near the center point of the underlying framing members.

What causes bowing in a roof?

If you notice that your roof line sags, curves, or dips and isn't arrow straight, it is likely that your roof needs repair. Several factors that cause a sagging roof include age, water damage, excess weight, design flaws, low-quality or incorrectly sized materials, and even faulty installation.

How can I improve my roof structure?

Reinforce the TrussesApply construction adhesive. ... Stiffen Trusses. ... Brace gable ends. ... Clean out gutters. ... Repair and caulk flashing. ... Check for loose or damaged shingles. ... Lift shingles or underlayment. ... Remove TV or satellite antennas.

How much does it cost to fix roof deflection?

Depending on the severity of the problem, you could be looking to spend anywhere from $750 to $3,000 or up to $10,000+ for a whole new roof. All of the repairs will depend on the damage, the size of the roof needing the repair, the materials needed to fix it, and the company you choose to go with.

What are the most common roof problems?

8 Common Roofing Problems (And How to Fix Them!)Roof Leaks. Roof leaks are probably the single most common roofing problems plaguing most homeowners. ... Damaged Flashing. ... Broken or Missing Shingles. ... Granules Clogging Downspouts. ... Stagnant or Pooling Water. ... Freezing Damages. ... Tree Damage. ... Damaged Roofing Materials.

What are the signs of a failing roof?

10 Warning Signs Your Roof is FailingYou have several missing or loose shingles.Your shingles are curling, cracking, dry, or blistering.The roof is sagging.There are dark/dirty areas on your roof.You have granules in your gutters.You notice several exposed or loose nail heads.More items...•

Is it normal to have dips in roof?

Minor dips or lumps can also occur at hip ridges or valleys due to poor roof truss alignment or other framing problems. They are typically barely noticeable and not a real problem.

What are the signs of a roof collapse?

What are the Warning Signs of a Roof Collapse?Leaking.Exterior cracks.Bends in the roof structure, frames or support.Jamming or loose windows and doors.Interior cracks on the walls, ceiling, and around window/door frames.Noticeable “sagging” of the roof.

What is the strongest part of a roof?

Homeowners should step on the strongest part of the roof, which is the crown, or the highest point, of rounded tiles. Flat tiles are strongest at the point of the overlap. Look for loose or torn shingles, cracked tiles or missing pieces.

How much does it cost to reframe a roof?

The national average cost for framing a roof ranges from $13,500 to $16,500, with most people spending about $15,000 on the framing of a 1,500 sq. ft. cross-gable roof on a two-story home.

What is the strongest roof shape?

metal hip roofWhat Type of Roof Is the Strongest? A metal hip roof offers the most durability of any common roofing design. Because hip roofs have an inward slope, they're ideal for regions that are prone to strong wind and frequent snow.

What does deflection mean on a roof?

Deflection is the bending of joists, trusses or rafters associated with overloaded structures. Various interior building effects result from deflection movement.

How can you prevent deflection?

There are several methods that can be adopted to reduce the slab and beam deflection.Increase the depth of the beams and slabs.Use alternative loading.Increase the tension reinforcements.Increase the compression reinforcements.Increase the width of the beam.Reduce the spans.Use prestressing.

What causes beam deflection?

Stresses cause beam deflection, which is the bending or twisting of the structural members due to building loads, movement of people, or changing weather. Structural beams can be exposed to different types of stress. Tension is a force that pulls the beam apart, which steel can resist well, but concrete cannot.

How do you control deflection?

How to Reduce Deflection of Reinforced Concrete Beams and Slabs?Make the element deeper.Make the member wider.Introduce compression reinforcement.Add tension reinforcement.Apply or increase prestressing.Revise geometry of the structure.Review deflection limit criteria.

Why does a roof spread?

Roof spread occurs when there is a failure to adequately support the main rafters of the roof so as to prevent them spreading further open in a scissor type action. Since the rafters are fixed to timber wall plates sitting on the head of the masonry wall, then roof spread pushed out those wall plates, in the process pushing out the masonry below.

Does roof spread occur in survey work?

I think most surveyors could tell you the theory behind roof spread and why it occur s but the reality is that we rarely see it in our day to day survey work; indeed this is the first case I’ve seen in 5 years so I thought it would be useful to outline the failure mode and the damage caused to the building concerned. The building is large outbuilding on a property in Derbyshire, which was surveyed as part of a condition survey to the main building.

What causes roof spread?

Roof spread is often caused by cut roof frames made from timber that was taken to the building site, sawed and put together on the spot. Using materials that way can make calculations for the roof difficult.

What is collar ties?

Collar ties and tie beams are both construction "fixes" that can be installed in a roof frame to help stop or solve roof spread issues. The tie beams are fixed to the rafters horizontally to stop them from spreading. The collar ties are used in a similar way. These methods can help stop roof spread before it starts to damage the roof and cause serious problems.

Why does my roof spread?

Sometimes spread is caused by a roof that was designed to be too large. Oftentimes, breaking the roof into different sections with different slopes and angles can prevent roof spread by dispersing its weight in a different way. If the spread is influenced by moisture, then contractors also can build or install additional moisture barriers ...

Is roof spread dangerous?

Roof spread can be dangerous for a house and very damaging for a roof. So fixing the problem as soon as possible is vital. Unfortunately, the repair usually requires widespread remodeling. Advertisement.

Who is Tyler Lacoma?

Tyler Lacoma. Tyler Lacoma has worked as a writer and editor for several years after graduating from George Fox University with a degree in business management and writing/literature.

What to look for when a roof sags?

Another reliable thing to look for in regards to roof spread or roof sag is the line of the ridge. It should be horizontal. If it is badly dipping in the middle it is because the rafters have sagged or bowed, pulling the ridge down with them.

What causes brick to bow?

a) The wall plate will be screwed securely into the top of the wall and the downward pressure on the rafters will push the top of the exterior wall outwards causing it to bow the brickwork. Bowed brickwork front or back is serious and will almost certainly involve the roof.

How is a roof built?

To simplify, the way a roof is built it normally involves a series of rafters fixed to a wooden wall plate at their base going up to a ridge at the top.

Why does my roof spread?

Roof spread is often caused by the roof timbers being subjected to extra weight – weight that they were not designed for.

Why are warning signs always bow shaped?

From my experience, particularly of terraced housing, the rafters never move much near the party walls but are affected mostly towards the centre, which is why warning signs are always bow shaped.

Can you replace slate with concrete?

A case in point would be slates being substituted with concrete tiles, a very common occurrence nowadays. Concrete tiles are cheap, easy to install but considerably heavier than the slate originals. If you are having this done, make sure the roof rafters are reinforced first.

Can Tudor timber frames be bowed?

Remember, unless it’s a Tudor timber framed building which will twist and sag safely to great aesthetic effect, avoid anything that is bowed. You will be doing yourself a favour.

What is a crown post roof?

Another traditional and very early arrangement is the crown post roof (Fig. 8) which can be thought of as a combination arrangement . In the upper section of the roof the rafters are tied together by the high level collars in the same way as Fig. 5 but in this case the collars are in turn supported by the crown plate which holds up the centre of the roof structure in the same way as a ridge beam (see Fig. 4) but at a lower level. Normally the crown plate is a lot smaller than the size one would expect if the forces required to hold up the ridge of the roof are calculated. This is because large wall plates act as horizontal beams as in Fig. 5 providing some restraining force to support the rafters, and being themselves held in place by tie beams at intervals. The tie beams also act as support for the crown posts which support the crown plate. This form of roof construction was gradually superseded by the collar and purlin type (see Fig.7) before 1600.

What is a duo pitched roof?

When a building has a duo pitched roof, pairs of rafters are in effect propped against each other and traditionally were often tenoned and pegged together at the ridge or apex (Fig. 1). Because in this arrangement the rafters lean against each other, they exert an outward force at their feet (eaves level) and will tend to push apart the walls they are built off. This is referred to as roof spread.

What is an H frame roof?

The other variation is the H frame roof often used in 17th Century cottages and often associated with somewhat low grade timber size and quality. Here large main posts run from the plinth walls up to the wall plates and these are held together at first floor level by cross beams with a dovetail tenon joint (see Fig. 10 & 10a).

Which splice was better for horizontal thrust?

It is interesting that as the collar and purlin roof came to the fore and wall plates were called on to resist more horizontal thrust, the standard wall plate splice detail gradually changed from one with a horizontal splice to a vertical splice which was better able to resist the horizontal thrust.

What type of roof is used in Suffolk?

by John Davis. Traditional timber framed buildings in Suffolk invariably have pitched roof structures, originally covered either with thatch, clay tiles, or later with slates imported from other parts of the country.

Is roof spread a real problem?

The problem of resisting roof spread is a real one, and it is always worth checking how roof spread is resisted when carrying out repairs or modifications to a timber framed structure. This will ensure that any repairs or modifications undertaken will not harm the existing structure. Knowledge of how roof spread is resisted can also allow you to look at timber frame roof structures in a new light.

Can a loft void be used as living space?

However, in some instances there is a requirement to use the loft void as living space and produce a vaulted roof structure and in this case the rafters can be supported at the apex by a ridge beam usually in steel, solid timber or laminated timber spanning between cross walls or posts (see Fig. 4). As long as the beam is stiff enough and is adequately supported at its ends it effectively holds the rafters up in the middle and prevents them spreading outwards at their lower ends.

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Url:https://mperryassociates.com/blog/avoiding-roof-spread/

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27 hours ago What is the cause of roof spread? Roof spread is frequently caused by cut roof frames made of timber that were taken to the construction site, sawed, and assembled on the spot. Solving …

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