ROOF BRACES

[STI]

Hi ,

Sorry i might be using the wrong terminology. I am looking to buy a house 150years old solid brick walls. I have had the survey done and no real suprises, theres damp as expected. However the roof has been renewed ie new slates and some rafters. The surveyor mentioned the presence of metal braces going across parts of the A frame. He did not seem overly concerned about them but my question is should i be. Why would they be needed if the roof has been done ?

thanks

 

[^woody^]

It depends what you mean by braces and whether these are strapping the rafters from sideways movement, or tying the rafters to prevent spread at the ends

The straps may be extra strength, or to strengthen thinner timbers, or just fitted on the whim of whoever done the roof or inspected it

Lots of roofs do need strapping though

 

[STI]

Not sure what they are for . They basically are a piece of steel/iron? rod which is bolted to two plates of steel/iron which enclose the rafter about a thrid of the way up from the ceiling. The steel then forms the horizontal of the A. Looking at the design you can shorten the rod by tightening the boltsd in the steel plates at either end.You say plenty of roofs need this so not a worry? and its an effective solution to whatever the problem is?
Thanks