How to extend purlin end into wall and replace another rotted end?

[RichBuck]

Hi, I have recently purcahsed a house with the knowledge that I must address some of the short roof purlins as some of them are barely hangining onto the edge of the walls into which they slot - one by only just over an inch. Another has some rot in the end following a previous leak and needs the end replacing.

It is a Victorian terrace and I think the purlins are original. The bricks in the walls in the roof look pretty tired, a few are crumbling in places around the actic, and one purlin has a few minor split ends. The roof has recently been re-done so no water getting in now.

I think what I need is to just somehow extend the purlins further into the slots in the wall and replace a purlin end. Could anyone advise who I'd need to contact to do this kind of work - carpinter/roofer/builder?

Thanks in advance, Rich

 

[Elastomeric]

Some interesting reading here.

http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/rooftimber/rooftimber.htm

 

[^woody^]

Its a job for a proper carpenter, but a builder may have a carpenter on their books or be a carpenter. Definitetly not a roofer.

 

[garyo]

Its a job for a proper carpenter, but a builder may have a carpenter on their books or be a carpenter. Definitetly not a roofer.

So if I wanted someone to carcass out a moderately complex cut roof for (or with) me, would I want a roofer, a joiner, or a carpenter? I've been pondering it and wonder whether asking loft conversion companies is the best way of finding the right skills.

 

[Elastomeric]

Chippies cut wood, Roofers cover up their mistakes.

Proper Carpenters are artists, and are what you need.

 

[^woody^]

So if I wanted someone to carcass out a moderately complex cut roof for (or with) me, would I want a roofer, a joiner, or a carpenter? I've been pondering it and wonder whether asking loft conversion companies is the best way of finding the right skills.

Roofers only cover the roof, they don't form the roof.

Carpenters would form the roof but there are different carpenters who may specialise in different carpentry. You want one able to do 'first fix cut roof work'.

I know that in some parts of the country they call carpenters "joiners". But in these parts, a joiner works in a joinery shop making frames and cabinets and such like.

 

[Doggit]

As always, post some pictures please. There are resins that you can add to the wood to restrengthen where it's rotted, but if there's only an inch left, then either you've got to replace the purlin, or see if you can build the pier further out to provide additional support, possibly with resin and bolts as you can't tie it in to the wall in the normal manner. It may also be possible to put a flitch beam or an RSJ from the centre of the house (assuming there's a party wall in the centre) to the outer wall, and then support the purlin on that.

It's going to be pretyy nigh on impossible to remove and replace the purlin in situ, as you need to brace the roof in too many directions to be able to then manouver the purling into place, so it may well require the roof to be removed, to do the repairs, but hopefully you can find an easier solution.

 

[noseall]

What you need is a bloke with the skill to build a cut roof and a bloke with hands-on building knowledge.
Now where can you find a bloke like that........

 

[Ian H]

Now where can you find a bloke like that........

 

[Elastomeric]

What you need is a bloke with the skill to build a cut roof and a bloke with hands-on building knowledge.
Now where can you find a bloke like that........

I'm busy .....

Further to the advice from Doggit, I would brace existing, cut and splice.

 

[datarebal]

treat the ends, and get some steel shoes made.. not uncommon

 

[Doggit]

Now that's a new one on me Datarebal, can you explain it a bit more please.

It might be possible to sister new pieces on either end, and then resin bolt in something like gallows bracket

 

[noseall]

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A wee bit unfair. It's golfing season now as in Puerto Banus...