How To Raise And Secure Roof Trusses

• How to check all measurements.

• Verify that all ties are in place along with Gable End supports

• Have your spacers ready.

• Have lumber on hand for bracing.

• How to set and raise Roof Trusses.

• How to set and secure Trusses onto a roof.

• How to brace a roof.

  ---

  1. How to check your measurements.

     • Check your markings on both Cap Plates.

     • Make sure they are equally spaced at 24" on center with an "X" on the side of the Truss.

     • Verify that both Cap Plates are identical.

  2. Make sure you have all of the necessary tools on site (hammer, 8p 2 1/2" nails, level.)

  3. Double check your Hurricane Ties making sure they are secured to the top plate and all are lining up in the right direction.

  4. Be sure to have enough spacers for the job. 4-6 per Truss is standard.

  5. Have plenty of long 2x4's on hand to use as bracing. You will also need some scrap pieces of strapping to tie sections of Trusses together as support braces. These will be removed prior to sheathing the roof.

  6. How to raise and set Roof Trusses.

     • Have one person at each wall standing on a ladder, ready to guide the Gable End.

     • A third person will stay on the ground to tie and untie the boom line from each Truss.

     • The Boom truck operator should be quite accurate at aiming the Gable End at the proper spot on the wall. However, keep clear of moving Trusses and keep your fingers away from the walls.

     • Begin by securing the Boom line to the Gable End.

     
     

     

     
     

     • As soon as the Gable End is over the end of the house, guide it over the cap plate, and hold it in place while guiding the operator while he lowers the Truss.

     • Be sure to guide The Gable End directly into the Hurricane Ties.

     • Once both sides are in place, make the overhang equal on both ends.

     • If your overhangs aren't the same throughout, you will end up with an undulating fascia along the length of the house.

     • Once you have identified the exact overhang measurement, keep it for the remainder of the Trusses.

     • When you are satisfied with the placement of the Gable End, nail it down to the Hurricane Ties.

     • From the exterior of the Gable End, secure the braces onto the Gable End. Check to make sure the Gable End is plumb.

     • Release the Gable End from the Boom line and tie the first Truss to the line.

     • Raise and set the Truss in the same manner as the Gable End.

     • Once the Truss is secured to the Hurricane Ties, Nail the spacers to both the Gable End and the Truss. This will keep the Truss from tipping over and will ensure equal spacing throughout the Trusses.

     • Stagger the spacers so as not to interfere with one another.

     • Nail one end of a piece of strapping to the outside of the Gable End, and the other to the outside of the first Truss. Repeat on the other side of the Truss.

     • This will make the Trusses more secure and less liable to be blown over by the wind. You will remove them prior to sheathing the roof.

     
     

     

     
     

     
     

     

     
     

     • Once all spacers are in place, remove the Boom line and repeat this process for all Roof Trusses.

  7. Once all Trusses are in place make sure that the Gable end is still plumb, continue to attach spacers and temporary strapping to the exterior of the Trusses, along the entire roof system.

  8. Using long 2x4's, brace the Trusses to one another along the interior of the Trusses. Start with the Gable End and continue this process along the entire line of Trusses. Repeat on the other side of the Trusses.

  9. Your Roof Trusses are now ready for sheathing.

     
     

     

     
     

  
  
  

  {Next Step: Sheathing The Roof}