Hi everyone. DIY novice here, looking at buying a late Victorian terrace (SW London) that we know will need quite a bit of work so will be getting full survey and trades in for rewire, window restoration etc.
Would be really helpful to get your thoughts on the roof (large end of terrace, hip and gable roof with dormers forming part of original attic storey). We already know that the slates will at least need some repair if not a complete replacement as they're original and not had much attention. My concern is whether we need to do anything with the timbers underneath too. There have been some leaks through the slates over the years - sellers say they were patched up a few years ago and everything is now dry. Though the damage they created has not been fixed, e.g. some parts of the lath and plaster ceiling are visible in the original attic storey where the leak damaged the plaster.
Looking into the eaves I see a lot of very dark brown / black wood (sarking boards?) - see pic. Any chance this is some form of treatment of the wood? Or does it look to you like the wood is mouldy/rotten? I'm wondering which trade we would ask to look at this, and whether it seems we will need to repair or replace roof timbers in addition to any slates. Really appreciate any thoughts, thanks.
Would be really helpful to get your thoughts on the roof (large end of terrace, hip and gable roof with dormers forming part of original attic storey). We already know that the slates will at least need some repair if not a complete replacement as they're original and not had much attention. My concern is whether we need to do anything with the timbers underneath too. There have been some leaks through the slates over the years - sellers say they were patched up a few years ago and everything is now dry. Though the damage they created has not been fixed, e.g. some parts of the lath and plaster ceiling are visible in the original attic storey where the leak damaged the plaster.
Looking into the eaves I see a lot of very dark brown / black wood (sarking boards?) - see pic. Any chance this is some form of treatment of the wood? Or does it look to you like the wood is mouldy/rotten? I'm wondering which trade we would ask to look at this, and whether it seems we will need to repair or replace roof timbers in addition to any slates. Really appreciate any thoughts, thanks.