How To Find Vertical Ridge Plane On Existing House: A Detailed Guide
This video provides a helpful solution for finding the vertical ridge plane on an existing house, which can be a challenge when dealing with uneven roofs or sagging. The video addresses a question from a viewer who was struggling to find this point and offers an alternative method after a previous solution involving the fascia board and eaves proved unsuccessful.
Steps to Find the Vertical Ridge Plane
The video outlines a step-by-step process for finding the vertical ridge plane, which involves creating a temporary structure and using a string line. Here's a detailed breakdown of the steps:
Remove Obstructions: Begin by removing any additions or pop-out sections of the house that might hinder the process of creating a straight line.
Establish a Center Line: Create a straight line running through the center of the building. You can use a string line, a straight board, or any other suitable tool for this purpose. Depending on the condition of the roof, you might need to measure from both ends of the building to ensure an accurate center line.
Create a Parallel Line: Establish a second straight line parallel to the first one, maintaining a distance of about two feet from the original center line on either side. This parallel line should run the entire length of the building.
Create a 90-Degree Line: Using a framing square or the 3-4-5 rule (a carpentry technique to ensure a right angle), create a line perpendicular to the parallel line at one end. The video mentions that a future video will delve deeper into creating 90-degree angles.
Construct Vertical Supports: Construct temporary vertical supports to create a plane. These supports should be plumb (perfectly vertical) and aligned with the previously created lines. The video suggests that the supports don't need to be very tall; even a 3-foot or 6-foot board can suffice depending on your needs.
Attach String Line: Attach a string line to one of the vertical supports, ensuring it doesn't touch the support itself but goes up onto the roof. You might need someone to stand on a ladder to assist you with this step.
Mark the Roof Line: Tighten the string line and move it from left to right until it barely touches the edge of the board on the opposite side. This will create a straight line on the roof sheeting or shingles. You can use a second person to confirm when the string is making light contact with the edge.
Repeat and Transfer Measurements: Repeat this process on the other side of the structure to create another straight line on the roof. By raising and lowering the string line, you can create multiple marks as needed. Once you have the lines marked on the roof, you can use a board, chalk line, or another string line to create a clean, straight line.
Adapting for Obstructions: Greg acknowledges that there might be situations where building elements are in the way. In such cases, you can simply move the entire setup (string line, vertical supports) to a clear location and repeat the process. Once you have a straight line, measure the distance from the line to the center of the ridge and transfer this measurement to the corresponding location on the ridge itself.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can effectively find the vertical ridge plane on an existing house, even if the roof is uneven or sagging. This method provides a reliable way to establish a reference point for various construction projects. The video concludes by encouraging the viewer who requested the information to provide more details about their specific situation, allowing the channel to offer more tailored guidance in future videos.
