How to Protect Your Roof Trusses Ahead of Installation
Posted on: 2 July 2019
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If you're building the home of your dreams on a plot that you bought specifically for the purpose, then you are undoubtedly investing a lot of money. You're looking forward to the completion of the project, but there's a long way to go before you get there and you need to make sure that all the work is coordinated carefully to best effect. For example, all the materials have to be delivered to the site on time, and work needs to be completed before the weather takes a turn for the worst. Still, you may have taken advantage of some cost incentives when buying some structural components. These components may need to be delivered to your site in advance. This is great, but you do need to be careful when it comes to storage as they may not deal too well with wet weather. Why is this more important than ever when it comes to wooden roof trusses?
Dealing With the Weather
It will take several weeks to build your home, and this is to be expected, but you cannot always rely on dry and settled weather throughout that time. Certainly, work will go ahead during an average rainy day, but you will want to protect your wooden roof trusses if they are out in the open.
Looking After the Materials
Unprotected wood is perishable to a degree, and you will want to ensure that your roofing materials last as long as possible. You will probably be okay for a short amount of time, but if you're expecting more wet weather, you will have to take additional steps.
Adequate Protection
When the trusses are delivered, make sure that they are stacked on top of individual cinder blocks. You will need several of these at regular intervals in order to provide the right amount of support, and this will elevate them off the ground so they won't get too damp. Just make sure that you carefully suspend each stack so that they do not bend in the middle and stress the wood.
Good Ventilation
Get a tarpaulin or two to cover the top of your truss stack. Tie them down carefully at each corner, but remember to allow an adequate amount of ventilation throughout. Your objective is to keep rainfall from directly hitting the stack while allowing the breeze to blow through beneath.
Best Practice
If you follow these steps, then you shouldn't encounter any problems. Wood that is allowed to get very wet can sometimes warp to a degree, and this could, in certain circumstances, present a problem during installation. However, if you take action as described, then your trusses should be perfectly fine. You will be able to take advantage of early delivery and still get the job finished on time.