I'm installing a floor in my attic. To open up the space and simplify the flooring I'm removing temporary construction bracing. Most of the bracing is easy to identify, since it clearly does not support anything: It doesn't touch the ridge or rafter, has no real structure on the lower end, and is some cases is actually being held up by the roof.
One 2×4 post gives me pause, though. Rather than just being toe-nailed into the ridge it is supported (poorly) by a sistered 2×4. It is sitting on the top plate of a wall with some continuity down through the house. It's actually twisted as if it might be buckling from load. And the gable ridge does not run into a header. The valley rafters are massive, though, so perhaps it is supposed to be cantilevered.
Questions:
- Can I remove it?
- If not, should I replace it? With something heavier?
- Does this application have a particular name? (I thought perhaps "king post" but this doesn't have struts)
Front view:
Reverse view including the opposing valley jack:
Artsy shot showing the twist in the board:
Best Answer
It looks to me like that is the board used to hold the ridge up until the rafters are nailed to it. Once the rafters are up the brace should be able to come out. I think the buckling is due to some settling and age. The framers should have taken it out. They should take out all of this kind of bracing so that no one is confused later. There is no way that a 2X4 is supposed to hold up a 2X12 and the whole roof that sits on it.