Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Dec 03, 2013 10:26 pm True Value Solar installed panels, had a look in the roof space afterwards and noticed one of the fastening bolts/screws had caused a split along almost the entire rafter length. Anyone with roofing experience ever had to replace a rafter? I wouldn't do it myself but am curious as to how difficult a task it is. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: replacement of one rafter 2Dec 04, 2013 6:11 am I'd say that split was already there and they have just made it worse. You can see a faint white powdery line along the edges of the split suggesting it has split along the line of a gum mark or some other fault in the timber. You could easily rectify it by drilling holes in the top chord of the truss and bolting the two pieces together then bolting another 90 x 45mm length alongside it. it wouldn't take long to do. Stewie Re: replacement of one rafter 3Dec 04, 2013 7:11 am Hi Stewie There is no powdery line, it's the exposed timber after the crack. After some research I found that hardwood is supposed to be predrilled and 5cm, not 8cm bolts used as a precaution against cracking. True Value use their own (non SunLock) tile bracket system, however the fixing to rafters would be similar across manufacturers. From the SunLock manual: To prevent splitting the timber, pre-drill the screw holes at an inward facing angle. This is especially important for hardwood rafters. Tile brackets are supplied as standard with 90 mm timber roofing screws, which supply the required 80 mm embedment in softwood rafters. For hardwood rafters, the embedment can be reduced to 40 mm (i.e. use at least a 50 mm screw, or longer if you have any packers between the tile bracket and the rafter). Good article from the the National Federation of Roofing Contractors Limited in the UK on fixing solar panels to timber rafters: http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j ... 5469,d.dGI Re: replacement of one rafter 5Dec 04, 2013 10:10 am B STAR easy fix, take screw out. use PVA glue and then clamp up. Then re do with correct pre drilling process. Agree with that, but would still fit a brace as StewieD suggested above to make it 100% secure. Incidentally, this highlights how cowboys operate. They may know how to install solar, but they still dont know how to perform basic carpentry, which they should if they are working on roof rafters. I wouldnt even call pre-drilling hardwood "carpentry knowledge", Id call that "common sense" learned from experience. I mean, this is a lesson everyone learns when working with hardwood for the first time. So I would question their experience. Re: replacement of one rafter 6Dec 04, 2013 11:30 am Sadly all too common in the building industry qebtel. I've seen far worse too like the idiot AC installer who cut through chords of five trusses to let him get his air-con ducting in easier. Plus a host of others I could recount. Stewie Re: replacement of one rafter 7Dec 04, 2013 11:56 am qebtel B STAR easy fix, take screw out. use PVA glue and then clamp up. Then re do with correct pre drilling process. Agree with that, but would still fit a brace as StewieD suggested above to make it 100% secure. Incidentally, this highlights how cowboys operate. They may know how to install solar, but they still dont know how to perform basic carpentry, which they should if they are working on roof rafters. I wouldnt even call pre-drilling hardwood "carpentry knowledge", Id call that "common sense" learned from experience. I mean, this is a lesson everyone learns when working with hardwood for the first time. So I would question their experience. I must admit I couldnt 100% picture stewies fix. But if it involved any more drilling into the main rafter then I would be avoiding it, and this will further weaking the beam. PVA glue if used corrrectly can end up with a stronger join that what the actual timber is. Worse case I would add a few gange nails on the flat. I think this will look the neatest. Re: replacement of one rafter 8Dec 04, 2013 1:33 pm I can't help but wonder as they were not predrilled and used the same length fasteners on all the rafters whether more rafters will crack, ie - if they have been weakened by the fasteners. I sent True Value Solar photos and an email to their technicalservices@truevaluesolar.com.au email address and no reply so far. Re: replacement of one rafter 10Dec 04, 2013 5:16 pm it looks like the top chord of a roof truss to me, you may be able to laminate it but this should now be checked out by an engineer. -mick Quote: I Have Done So Much With So Little For So Long, I Can Do Almost Anything With Nothing Now. DWB Re: replacement of one rafter 11Dec 05, 2013 1:26 pm Stewie D Sadly all too common in the building industry qebtel. I've seen far worse too like the idiot AC installer who cut through chords of five trusses to let him get his air-con ducting in easier. Plus a host of others I could recount. Stewie oh dont worry, I know. Ive mostly tried to alert the unknowing on here, about the crappy workmanship which seems to be de riguer for far too many in the industry. rafter I sent True Value Solar photos and an email to their technicalservices@truevaluesolar.com.au email address and no reply so far. Whether they respond quickly and effectively will be your litmus test of their attitude to customers. Anyone who takes pride in their work, drops what they are doing, and recitifies their mistakes pronto. Anyone who doesnt, in my book, is an a55hole, and not worth doing business with. Good luck. 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