How to Splice a Rafter

Position the two pieces of the rafter so that their ends are butted tightly together and their bottom edges create a straight line. Check the straightness of this line with a 4-foot level or a straight edge.

Place a board that is the same width as the rafters against the joint and extending up and down the rafters. For example, if you have 2-by-10 rafters, use a 2-by-10 for the splice. The longer the piece you use is, the stronger the splice will be.

Drive a four-inch screw through the face of the splicing piece and into the rafter, just far enough to hold the splicing piece up. This process is easier and more accurate if you have someone else hold the piece up while you insert the screw.

Put another screw into the other end of the splicing piece, just far enough in to support it.

Put another piece of wood of identical size and shape on the other side of the rafter that you are splicing. Drive screws into it to hold it. This time, drive the screws all the way through this piece, through the rafters and into the first piece that you put up on the other side of the rafter. You now have a two-piece rafter that is sandwiched between two pieces of wood that are scabbed onto its sides.

Drive many four-inch screws through the face of each splicing board, through the rafter and into the opposite board. The more screws you use, the stronger it will be.