Roof Rafter Seperation

The reason is that in a rafter ceiling joist roof system the ridge represents the apex of a truss.

Roof rafter seperation.

Some shed rafters do not incorporate ridge beams either due to small size or lack of technical know how. This video shows how to repair a split rafter. The rafters on the rear side of a steeply pitched roof were separating from the ridge board. Condition was only present on the rear.

At the top where the rafters meet they are either angled to meet at a point or attached to a horizontal ridge beam. Very easy to do. Rafters must be strong enough to hold the roof sheathing and the shingles. I m no engineer but it seems like this is due to settlement but how bad.

With the proper tools anyone can do this. As home buyers should we walk from this purchase. Typical rafter spacing codes will specify a minimum spacing of 16 inches 19 2 inches or 24 inches. As such the ridge and the adjoining rafter ends are entirely in compression.

Rafter and roof joist spacing is only one part of a complex roof design that works together to form a structure that meets building codes and can hold up the weight of the roof and roof load. The sellers investors who are flipping a foreclosure have upgraded the floors that cover potential slab cracks. The attached photos show rafter separation and broken collar ties. If your local building authority has a rafter spacing code you may not space rafters wider than required by code.

The inspector recommends a structural engineer to determine cause. A ridge beam runs the length of the shed roof connecting every pair of rafters.