Several planks running across the rafters of a one car garage in an older home have dry rotted about 8-10 inches from their ends where they had been nailed into the rafter. The remainder of the planks are solid and so are the rupport rafters. The tarred roof covering is in very good shape on most of the garage except in this area where the prolonged leak and rot has occurred. Since I am a female, it would be much easier for me to cut 1" inch thick plywood boards, 19/1/2 inches wide, the exact amount required to make a perfect fit between the rafters, and attach from inside the garage by pressing them up hard against the bottom of the rotted sections and then securing them on both sides by nailing strips of 2x4s, rather than for me to have to use a hammer and literally ripp out the wooden planks along with the good tarred cover. Would this be OK? The ceiling in the garage is easily accessible to me from using an 8ft ladder. Big Thanks

Sounds like exactly what I would do. Plywood would be 3/4" however. Use 2x3 instead of 2x4 to make bottom edge be even. Cut plywood to fit then nail to 2x3. Put up between joists (rafters) and push up and prop with 2x4 to keep tight against the roof while you nail.

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Originally Posted by hkstroud

Sounds like exactly what I would do. Plywood would be 3/4" however. Use 2x3 instead of 2x4 to make bottom edge be even. Cut plywood to fit then nail to 2x3. Put up between joists (rafters) and push up and prop with 2x4 to keep tight against the roof while you nail.

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THANK YOU hkstroud!!

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Originally Posted by ugacrew

THANK YOU hkstroud!!!!!!

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Follow-up ?Question: I have replaced the plywood as recommended under the bad rotted out areas. I need to now cover all of that new wood that was over those rotted out areas. What procedure do I follow to cover this new wood and "join" it to the rest of the good tar covering that is already in place? What do I cover it with, paper and a sealant, a thick gooey patch? Please advise. My discovery of this info site giving me access to real experts is absolutely fantastic!! I just love it!!

I would start with a 90# and new drip edge. As for the seam.. . Fabric and karnak flashing cement.
After the patches are tarred, you can apply the karnak and fabric to the seam in layers. When applying the fabric, make sure there's enough cement on the area to cover the entire fabric and that when you place a piece of fabric it overlaps any other pieces by at least an inch and a half.. smooth out with a trowel. I usually use a margin trowel that is made fot masonry along with a 3/4" pointer. Once you have a nice cement surface, roll the fabric and with the pointer, smooth it into the cement, so it becomes smooth and the cement fills the holes in the fabric. Repeat these 2 steps as needed to build up the seam.the roofing fabric usually comes in 1ft wide rolls. (looks like cheesecloth made of tar) this will keep the seam from cracking out later on.

Thank you!!