Removing Current Truss Roof Completely

[Jawgarage]

So what's the best way to totally remove an existing 2x4 roof truss system to make way for a garage remodel, addition, and new 2nd floor trusses? Current structure is 28x26 with a 3/12 pitch roof with one layer of asphalt shingle and it all has to come off. It's about 30 years old, and the walls are staying up.

Recommendations?

Thanks.......

Jeff

 

[DCarr2]

you need to speak with a structural engineer. not just to meet codes, but for safety.

 

[couch67]

There's a lot of ways to go about this. Stripping the roof and pulling the p/w from the trusses(using a 2x4 as a battering ram from the ground helps loosen them) , then removing trusses one by one would be the most work, but will be the least risk of damaging the existing structure.

If you resell the trusses you should get some money for them. Depending on the roof deck condition you may be able to salvage it for your 2nd floor roof. Any chance you can re-use the trusses for your 2nd floor (although you say its 3/12 which is pretty flat).

Another option is to get a demolition crew in to take care of it. Fast, but obviously more $$. More risk of collateral damage to walls. I guess depends on your timeline, budget, and capabilities.

couch

 

[finn]

Dumpster, shingle scraper or pitchfork and then a sledgehammer and sawsall with a demo blade.

 

[Firebird 1]

We had a job a few years ago that the previous builder did such a bad job that all of the trusses on a 4000 sf house had to be removed and new trusses installed. Did it the old fashioned way. cut thru the plywood and shingles between the trusses, stripped the sheething then started to take the trusses off reverse of how they go up. Quite an expensive job for to fix some idiots screw up.

 

[kbs2244]

Get the above tools.
Pay up your insurance.
Rent dumpster.
Fill fridge with soda pop.
Put notice on local HS bulletin board "$10.00/hr"

 

[MScott]

I did something similar years ago when I bought my lake front cottage. I got a good deal since the roof structure had warped badly (was not a truss roof) and the shingles needed replacing. I just removed the roof in the reverse order of when it was built....shingles first, then plywood sheeting (it was actually in good shape so was reused) then removed the roof structure. I then just replaced them with new trusses, plywood and steel roofing. Not a terribly difficult job and my wife and I did it by ourselves.

 

[James-W]

you need to speak with a structural engineer. not just to meet codes, but for safety.

I agree, the first floor needs to be able to support the second floor and the roof. Depending on what is to be stored on the second floor, it MAY mean making some structural changes to the first floor framing.

 

[bczygan]

When removing the trusses, start installing the new floor joists, so the walls are braced.

Recalculate loads on any headers.

Bill

 

[James-W]

Things may be different where the opening poster is, I don't really know, but I suspect the rules will at least be similar where he is. I would strongly suggest going to the local building office and inquire as to what is needed before doing anything.

For the moment I am going to make the assumption the opening poster needs to get a building permit in order to tear off the roof and add a second floor before putting on a new roof. I have no idea what the local rules are for constructing a building in his particular part of the country. Around here you must submit building plans complete with accurate drawings and signed off on by a structural engineer. When I built my garage I had to have these things before they would even give me the building permit. Then I had to follow the plans to the letter.