nealtw
Contractor retired
You are right in that what ever you have has been doing the job untill now and if you somewhat happy with that, you could build a temp wall to hold the ceiling level and then replace the metal straps with 2x4s and that should hold the ceiling up.
But, but ,but . Just because it has stood there for some time, that dosn't mean it can take that extra big snow load, that extra strong wind or a small earth shaker. The idea is to make the house strong enough to maybe not stay perfect but stay together long enough to get people out.
To me it is simple, spend some time in the attic hoping to make it strong or spend some time on a beam and know it is good. I think the beam above would work but given the choice I would be working from below rather than crawling around in the attic.
But, but ,but . Just because it has stood there for some time, that dosn't mean it can take that extra big snow load, that extra strong wind or a small earth shaker. The idea is to make the house strong enough to maybe not stay perfect but stay together long enough to get people out.
To me it is simple, spend some time in the attic hoping to make it strong or spend some time on a beam and know it is good. I think the beam above would work but given the choice I would be working from below rather than crawling around in the attic.