Why Is My Roof Bowing?

April 7, 2022

A bowing roof can be caused by various circumstances, ranging from excessive weight to incorrect installation. A new roof should be perfectly level, with flat, straight surfaces to allow dirt and water to drain off quickly. Roof bowing may be caused by several things as your roof ages.

How To Fix a Bowing Roof?

A house’s roof is the most vital component since it protects it from dangerous natural elements such as severe winds, ice, and heavy snowfall. Suppose your roofline sags, slopes, or dips, then your roof is probably in need of repair. Age, water damage, extra weight, design problems, low-quality or poorly proportioned components, and even bad installation can contribute to a bowing roof. While minor bowing may not result in rapid collapse, a bowing roof is a significant problem that demands immediate attention.

Since repairing a bowing roof is a big task, you’ll want to make sure you know what you are doing to avoid significant problems or a shoddy job. First, an examination is required to determine why your roof is bowing and what is causing it to droop. This critical stage can help you analyze the damage and budget for materials. Your roof might be bowing due to broken trusses or rafters that need to be fixed.

Tips for How to Check Bowing Roof

Please look at your house from the street, then walk around it to check for bending ridgelines, bowing, and dips.
If your house has an attic, take a camera to photograph the damaged trusses or rafters.
Be sure no cracks are in the plywood or metal gusset plates.

Step 1: Examine the roof and note any damage.

First, look for any signs of bowing on the roof. Looking at the roof from the street is an excellent idea. Next, grab a flashlight and walk up to the attic to examine the roof from inside the house. This viewpoint might help you determine the degree of the harm. Finally, pay close attention to the structure of your roof truss, which is the frame that supports the roof. Cracks, rotting, and breaking are all signs of damage. The most common cause of a bowing roof is damaged trusses or rafters.

Step 2: Drill holes in a steel “L” channel.

One of the most difficult components of mending a rafter or truss is reinstalling it in its original location after being damaged. Obtaining a steel “L” channel with a minimum diameter of 112 inches by 112 inches is the simplest method to do this. Begin by drilling four 38-inch holes in the base and four spots in the side of the steel “L” channel. The holes should be spaced equally.

Safety Considerations

When accessing your attic, be cautious: they are typically dark, restricted locations. Consider adding more illumination to the room.
When repairing a bowing roof, use suitable safety equipment, such as safety glasses, masks with appropriate filters, and gloves.
An excessively bowing roof can be unsafe and collapse, resulting in damage or even death.

Conclusion

Several variables must be considered before determining whether or not to repair a bending roof yourself. It is critical to take the first step in determining if your roof is bowing as a result of weight, rot, or regular wear and tear. If you decide it is not a project you are up to, a professional roofer such as Capstone Bros Contracting can ensure that the proper procedures are performed using skill and high-quality materials. Following the repair, it is good to have your roof inspected at least once a year.

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By portkeyseo

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