Crumbling support under purlin prop

[Adam78]

Hi,

I have a purlin prop resting on a brick wall. Upon closer inspection the mortar joints on this brick wall is crumbling away - if you dig you nails in it starts to break away. The bricks arn't in great condition either.

What would be the best way to fix this wall. I understand it could be pointed up but i'm unsure if the prop would give way. If I removed the prop how would you support the purlin?

I'm just trying to understand how you would go about repairing this. Is this a big job? what type of tradesman would deal with this type of job - is it roofer or a builder?

 

[joe-90]

It's probably been like that for decades and will last many decades more. Don't look for problems in old houses.

 

[noseall]

It's easy to deal with but it is a faff getting stuff into ANY loft.
A handful of 7n concrete blocks and a bucket of muck would deal with it.
You may be able to prop from within the loft, if not you can always double stack prop from the room below with a plank spreader etc.

 

[Adam78]

It's easy to deal with but it is a faff getting stuff into ANY loft.
A handful of 7n concrete blocks and a bucket of muck would deal with it.
You may be able to prop from within the loft, if not you can always double stack prop from the room below with a plank spreader etc.

Can you please explain a little more what you mean by using 7n concrete blocks. Do you mean removing the bricks and replacing with concrete blocks?

Who would specialise in this trade - roofer or builder?

 

[noseall]

The bricks look like they are in good nick. Adding 7n (dense concrete) blocks to the existing pillar will mean you can remove that dodgy timber prop. We always like to jack up roof supports by a couple of mm, so that when the props are released the pillar is immediately under load and laterally stabilised.

 

[^woody^]

if you dig you nails in it starts to break away. The bricks arn't in great condition either.

You can do that with almost any mortar used inside houses. All it is is sand grains held together, if you scrape them they come apart, but left alone they will hold up your roof.

Bricks don't degrade inside lofts

If you do want to waste your time and money, it's a builders job.