Roof truss modification

[AndyEss]

I have a W truss in my 1960's house which is not prefabricated, but has been built from bolted together elements. There are 4 pairs of struts 5 rafters apart, and on 2 of these, there's a piece of T&G floorboard nailed on, joining the struts. I suspect these were used as a temporary brace while the roof was being constructed, but were never removed afterwards. The head height up there is limited, and I'm constantly banging my head on these things. I don't believe they are structural, so I wonder if anyone has a view on whether they are safe to remove? [picture attached]

 

[DAZB]

They will be contributing in some small way but could easily be replaced by fitting a galvanised strap or similar up above them, preferably above your head height and bolt through to the diagonals and also the main roof rafters (blocks may be needed to get the profiles flush) with at least two M8 bolts with washers and nuts per upright and then remove the timbers. The fact that they are not even fully nailed gives a hint they were, as you say, possibly used as semi temporary bracing during the build.

 

[AndyEss]

Many thanks for the reply, Daz. I should've also mentioned that the struts are already heavily bolted to the main rafter at the top, and main floor joists at the bottom, so any lateral force is unlikely. And you're spot on - the floorboards are only loosely nailed on, and if they were taking any load, they'd just split along the grain

Take your point about replacing with metal straps, but tbh I'd be more nervous about drilling boltholes in the truss, and would probably want a structural engineer to sign that off to keep my insurance valid.

Maybe I should just buy a hard hat

 

[^woody^]

It's not doing anything for the truss, and can be removed.

Typically used to hold the two struts while they are drilled and fixed to the top chords.