Hi everyone,
Bought a semi detached house that was built in 1890. Previous owners boarded, carpeted and covered up roof timbers etc in one of the two lofts. They fitted a sink with cold and hot water supply and drainage...etc for use as a dark room for photography. There was also a home made window installed in the side of roof....not protruding or anything...I guess like a velux but single glazed and ancient.
I believe this was done at least 20 years ago. Was not advertised as an extra bedroom ...etc. So - floor seems pretty sound but is only 1.8m to the apex of ceiling and is the tallest part. floor is rectangular about 3m x 6m. access via fitted loft ladder and hatch.
To create more useful space - got plumber in to dismantle sink and water pipes..etc
Decided space would be great to use as a den for kids and or homework...etc.
A few months later- a large leak appeared near the old window in the 'converted' loft. got roofer guy in who said timber frame of window was knackered and causing leak. decided to replace old window with a velux and had it fitted by a carpenter / builder. its about 75cm from floor and goes into the space where old window was. Will get fire escape ladder and got some more smoke alarms as well as a c02 alarm as well.
as boards were badly damaged by leak, had to replace them and fitted sheepswool insulation into roof. boarded over with MDF and papered over with thermal insulation paper. Now ready to paint. have
I had always assumed that because it was such an old existing 'conversion' I could re insulate and redecorate and use this as a homework / den for kids and some storage.....considering that previous owner used it as a hobby room for the last 20 odd years.....I now feel I could be contravening LA regulations. I am loathed to bring in a council jobsworth with his clipboard who may force me to rip it all out. Help and advice is needed please!
Bought a semi detached house that was built in 1890. Previous owners boarded, carpeted and covered up roof timbers etc in one of the two lofts. They fitted a sink with cold and hot water supply and drainage...etc for use as a dark room for photography. There was also a home made window installed in the side of roof....not protruding or anything...I guess like a velux but single glazed and ancient.
I believe this was done at least 20 years ago. Was not advertised as an extra bedroom ...etc. So - floor seems pretty sound but is only 1.8m to the apex of ceiling and is the tallest part. floor is rectangular about 3m x 6m. access via fitted loft ladder and hatch.
To create more useful space - got plumber in to dismantle sink and water pipes..etc
Decided space would be great to use as a den for kids and or homework...etc.
A few months later- a large leak appeared near the old window in the 'converted' loft. got roofer guy in who said timber frame of window was knackered and causing leak. decided to replace old window with a velux and had it fitted by a carpenter / builder. its about 75cm from floor and goes into the space where old window was. Will get fire escape ladder and got some more smoke alarms as well as a c02 alarm as well.
as boards were badly damaged by leak, had to replace them and fitted sheepswool insulation into roof. boarded over with MDF and papered over with thermal insulation paper. Now ready to paint. have
I had always assumed that because it was such an old existing 'conversion' I could re insulate and redecorate and use this as a homework / den for kids and some storage.....considering that previous owner used it as a hobby room for the last 20 odd years.....I now feel I could be contravening LA regulations. I am loathed to bring in a council jobsworth with his clipboard who may force me to rip it all out. Help and advice is needed please!
