After tracking down a roof leak following a recent reroof, I discovered that the roofer had replaced some rotted sheathing and structural components. The sheathing was replaced using standard 1/2 inch cdx plywood and appears sufficient but several adjoining supporting rafters were repaired by sistering new rafters to the dry rotted rafters using three or less, 3-inch nails along the new material and through the existing dry rot. Every nail placed from the roof missed the sisters and can be seen between the rafters. The sisters were cut and attached to the rotted rafters at about the halfway point (10 foot span). Metal brackets that used to secure the rafters to the load bearing header were disconnected and bent back and the upper ends of the sisters were toenailed into the header at several places along the four foot section. The rotted rafters between the sisters falls apart when probed with a screwdriver The roof is noticeably weaker and bounces when walking on it and is 1-inch out of plane with the rest of the roof when measured with a 4 foot level.
The roofer states that the repair was made using “Best Prfactices” and “Factory Standards”. I would like to know if professional builders would agree that the repairs meet industry standard and best practices?
Replies
Using 3 nails on a scab and calling it "industry standard" is total BS.
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Your picture paints a pretty piss poor picture.
By header, do you mean a ridge beam? The picture looks to show a vaulted ceiling with some sheetrock removed, is this correct?
That was some serious rot to the framing. While sistering rafters might be a possible solution, it looks like they took the cheap and less than secure and sound way out.
Without knowing the details , that is an industry standard I am not familiar with. Best practice? hardly.
The entryway roof is a shed style, sloping flat roof. The upper portion would normally be secured to the header above the inner set of entryway doors with the lower rafters secured to the header above the exterior doors. I'm sorry the picture does not show more. I have a goodly amount more showing all described in the original writeup. Thanks for the reply. It has re-enforced my conclusion. I have been out of the trades for a good number of years and hoped that the "standards" had not sunk that low.
Well, there is no "industry
Well, there is no "industry standard" for repairing rotten rafters. Though your picture does not show enough to get the full picture, "best practices" would generally include sistering the joists for most of their length.
But you say that you "discovered" that the roofer had made this repair during a recent reroofing? Did he not discuss the repair with you (and demand an upcharge for the repair work) at that time?
The roofer informed me of dry rot in general. Requested estimate for repair was not supplied verbally or in writting. I observed sheathing replacement only which was covered under the original contract and assumed that sheathing only was being replaced. Would it not have been a better practice to replace the entire rafter(s) rather than just half and nail the scabs to the dry rot where the rafters could scissor when loaded? Especially since multiple adjoining rafters were involved and the roofing and sheathing was already removed.
IMO
The description and the photo spells hack job to me
When roofers discover rot it spells a job slow down for them while they wait for a carpenter to come and make repairs. So they do what makes the most sense to them and make the rerpairs themselves, often with results like yours. That's not 'best practice," it's not even good practice. That all needs to come out and be repaired by a carpenter with some basic skills. Backcharge the roofer.
Of course, if the roofer had done a halfway decent inspection of the roof before bidding the job he would have noted the soft spot and realized there was rot under it. (And in any case where replacing the sheathing is required some framing rot is likely.)
It's difficult to tell much from the picture but it doesn't look like "dry rot", there is moisture involved. At first I thought it was signs of a longterm roof leak but on a second look, it may be signs of condensation, no venting, inadequate insulation and no vapor barrier. In essence, rotting from the inside. The repair is poorly done and a new roof isn't going to address the real problem if I'm correct.
Don't want to run this too much to death but another picture sans insulation might add something. Building inspector here today confirming repair was unacceptable and needs to be replaced. Workmanship issues in other areas also identified. New concerns over what else was covered up with new roofing on the rest of the house. Thanks for everyones input..much appreciated.