On Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:45:07 -0500, jiml wrote:

On 24 Apr 2007 08:04:32 -0700, al wrote:

Got a new roof last June after previous year's hurricane. Contract
states that "rafter helpers" will be installed as necessary.

I've just found that the end of a rafter into which fascia and soffit
are nailed is severely rotted back to the edge of the wall and am
wondering if that is where a "rafter helper" should have been used to
shore up that area. Fascia on that section was replaced when roof was
done so they couldn't have missed it.

No, I don't think that is what he meant. Obviously the term is
misused as a google search will show.

What I think he meant is that a new roof looks a lot better if the
rafters are relatively straight and even. Sags in a roof don't look
nice and cracked rafters are going to be sagging. So he is saying
that the roofers will go into the attic and repair as necessary any
problem rafters. That means generally you have to shore up the
sagging rafters and to splice a substitute rafter. It is really very
common and should be done with each roofing job.


The word I was looking for is 'sister'.

To fix your fascia you need to sister the rafters at the end so you
have something solid to attach the fascia. Not easy, but somebodys
gotta do it.