Hurricane-Proof Garage

This afternoon I checked another chore off the building inspector's to-do list.  A Hurricane strap is a metal plate which reinforces the connection between a roof truss and the wall on which it sits.  The truss-and-rafter structures are toe-nailed to the wall's top plate, of course.  However, these straps are designed to keep the roof in place in winds up to 100 miles per hour.

A hurricane strap in my garage.

We don't get many hurricanes in Michigan, and tornadoes are rare here in Northeastern Lower Michigan.  But Presque Isle does get strong straight-line winds from time to time.  If these straps will keep my garage roof from being peeled away in a storm, then the two hours of hammer work will be worth it.  Nailing in the straps was not easy because the upper (truss) end had to be nailed through holes in the metal plate which holds the truss members together.

My left thumb is quite sore this evening.  I'm sure you can figure out why. •••