Replacing rafter ties

Jim F

Sorry, unable to find the correct term for these. I havd 3-4 of these that have come loose up in the attic. I have found them laying alond the attic side of the ceiling bruied in the blowin insulation. I have been unable to reposition these back to their original position to nail them back into place. Left to my own devices, I would bring in new 2x6 peices, overlapped in the middle, nailed onto the rafters on either end and bolted together in the middle with carriage bolts. Does this seem like a good plan? Is this a feasable DIY fix or should I consult a professional?

Jim F

A picture might help.

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Gary in WA

If handy with a hammer, you can DIY! Do a search here on "rafter ties" as there are many threads. It appears these are true rafter ties, not ceiling joists/rafter ties. New wood bolted would be fine; the critical part is the nailing: http://www.engineersedge.com/civil_e...onnections.htm

The 1/3 rule: http://myconco.com/ComEngProb.html

Be safe, Gary

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Jim F

Thanks for the links Gary. This is what it looks like from the other side. Buried down in that blownin insulation I imagin are the ceiling joists. I think a palm nailer will get the nails in that tight space.

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seeyou

I'd be mighty curious about what made them come loose in the 1st place.

Gary in WA

Those on the upper ceiling are collar ties someone attached the drywall to. Sorry about that, must be old. There are put in to hold the ridge board to the rafter tops in a high wind. Then a DIY'er that used them for a ceiling, loosening them during the installation......

Be safe, Gary

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Jim F

I'm thinking they were loosened by someone monkying around up there. The wood is very old. The house was converted from an ice house around 1939. It's hard to tell how old the original structure is.