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Lakestationgirl

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Aug 1, 2016
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Fort Worth, TX
Hi, thank God I found this site, can tell I'll be a long-time member. I need some help with my 1946 detached garage. Noticed a pretty significant roof sag in front half of garage. Went in and noticed one ceiling joist completely broken and several cut to accommodate drive train for opener. Is this as bad as I think, or is this repairable?? Also, who the heck would think that's a good idea in the first place??!!!?
 
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MoonRise

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Post some pics so we can try and give you some better advice.

Broken ceiling joist and several ceiling joist were cut in order to install a garage door opener and the roof is sagging doesn't sound too good.

As to whether or not it is 'fixable' is unknown at this point. Maybe fixable by replacing or "sistering" the broken and cut ceiling joists while simultaneously jacking up the roof (depending on where the roof is actually sagging and what caused or is causing the sag). Or maybe not.

Post pics.
 
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Lakestationgirl

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I've managed to load the photos to my profile album Scary Garage, but can't figure out how to attach them to the post. Is it possible to see the album until I figure out the rest?
 

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MoonRise

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Yeah, that's not good.

Whoever cut those ceiling joists was an idiot.

The joists might be 'fixable' (replace or sister them). Not super easy, but mostly straightforward. Remove the dang door opener track, replace or sister the ceiling joists, and the joists are taken care of.

Check the walls to see if they are 'sprung' at all. If so, they will have to be straightened out before the joists are 'fixed'.

I didn't see the roof enough from your three pictures in your profile album to see what/why about the roof sag.
 
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gregtwojeeps

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Yep, lots of work to be done. Until time or money allows to put new joists in one could....

To help prevent further spreading out of the walls, which also means the rafters will keep dropping if the walls do bow out ...one could put some steel cables as a stop gap from wall to wall with eye hooks and adjustable tensioners and tighten them up. Just a temporary helper fix though. JMO
 
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Jo Diesel

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What condition is the roof in. Might be easier to tear every thing off and extend the walls up like 10" and install new trusses.
Are the walls straight or bowing out?
 
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Lakestationgirl

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I KNOW, right?!? I grew up helping my dad barns, etc. so at least I'm not as bad as some people. Luckily, no one got hurt and the roof didn't collapse.

So the walls are all cinder block, which from where I've seen are relatively plumb and level. But, whoever combined the original 2 bay openings into a single, didn't put in a header for the 16' opening. It's a bunch of 2x4's in various lengths, which is what the opener was braced on. Major Charlie Fox at the casa today!!!!

Thanks for all of the help!
 
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Kev442

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Doesn't scare me much. A few hours sistering the beams and a 5 ton jack to help and it will be 90% right again. Some sag can never be taken out without a full tearout.
 
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67CarGuy

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Welcome to GJ!

Scary, only when it collapses. The rest of the time you're just waiting...

Removing the offending track and sistering the joists is the band-aid, but I would think replacing the joists is the solution.
 
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