This is a follow on to “shed reconstruction,” but starting a new thread to garner general knowledge out there. Comments on that thread confirmed my intent to raise the roof of the shed for repairs….I’d just like to hear any words of wisdom/precautions when it comes to jacking roofs.
I have started to jack the roof of a shed that is basically a 16 x 12 gable pole barn and 16 x 10 lean to attached. The shed is 8 – 10″ below grade and 4-6″ higher on one with many sagging rafters. So as I jack up the roof to rebuild the pole supports, I want to level the roof.
I started my plan by placing a ‘temporary beam’ of 4x4s below the rafters of the shed. The beam is supported by 3 4x4s posts with two of the posts ‘tacked’ to roof joists. I started by blocking the high end of the shed and jacking up the low end. I expected the beam to ‘pivot’ on the high end beam, then rest on all three as I removed the jack. To my amazement, the beam unloaded on the high end and rested on the lower two posts. It took several attempts to get the load to rest on all three posts…and was quite frustrating as I’d move back and forth to jack next to one post, block it tight, then have another post unload as I lowered the jack. I didn’t try to completely level the lean to roof, as I will rebuild that after I repair the gable portion.
I’m now looking at jacking the gable portion by placing two 4×4 temporary beams under the roof joists. The beams are actually a 10′ and 8′ 4×4 overlapped and bolted together. I have 6 hydraulic jacks that I intend to raise (and level) the roof. While I jacked the lean-to with 2x4s, I thinking I’ll need to use 4x4s for the increased load. I’ll alternate back and forth resting the beams on the jacked 4x4s and on what will be the 4×4 post supports (as I alternatively add blocking to raise the jacks/posts) I intend to tie the posts to roof joists with 1x6s (or plates if better advised).
I’m wondering if I need to cross brace the temporary posts or add some lateral support so the whole structure doesn’t shift with strong winds or a passing storm? And am also wondering if there are some jacking dynamics, recommendations and cautions I should be considering.
Again, I appreciate any ideas on the project…and thanks to those who’ve taken time to share their experience. It really helps.
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I don't have a good answer, so this will just "bump" your question up the list so others can answer.