Roof Structure Sagging and Lack Of Tie Ins

[expertreslish]

Hi!

I'm looking to purchase a 1960s semi and the Building Surveyor has come back with a couple of issues regarding the roof. The first is that the roof structure has sagged in one place - see image. The roof is of concrete tile construction and, as far as I'm aware, is original to the property. Is it a case of raising the sagging cross member and bolt bracing / sandwiching it with supporting wood both sides? Or another vertical support towards the middle of the horizontal cross member? Also, would this fall to a chippie or roofer if not a DIY task?

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The other observation was that the gable end wall hasn't been strapped into the roof. Having searched around the internet on the subject I've seen mention to it not having to be done 'back in the day', but advisable - and or the surveyor covering their backs. The solution to this sounds pretty straight forward, but if it's not essential and has been fine for 60+ years then do I go by the old adage of 'if it's not broke...'.

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Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Got a pic from the outside?

 

[expertreslish]

Sure, is this okay?

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[freddiemercurystwin]

Not really, being in focus and from the front to show the extent of the issue would be helpful.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

That is identical roof construction to my own - a massive horizontal timber, 1/3 up from the eaves, then a supporting V of thick timber, in the middle of the span, up from the internal wall. The only difference being - my V has what appears to be what was probably a temporary support timber, horizontally across the tops of the V, and the roof is tiled with quarry tiles.

I would suspect that, rather than the timber sagging with the weight of roof, it has simply twisted has the timber has seasoned and dried out. Therefore nothing to be concerned about.

 

[expertreslish]

Not really, being in focus and from the front to show the extent of the issue would be helpful.

I'll see if I can get over there and grab another image square on from the front. Thank you.

That is identical roof construction to my own - a massive horizontal timber, 1/3 up from the eaves, then a supporting V of thick timber, in the middle of the span, up from the internal wall. The only difference being - my V has what appears to be what was probably a temporary support timber, horizontally across the tops of the V, and the roof is tiled with quarry tiles.

I would suspect that, rather than the timber sagging with the weight of roof, it has simply twisted has the timber has seasoned and dried out. Therefore nothing to be concerned about.

Thanks, HB. I like this idea. With a seemingly identical roof, does your roof have the strapping to the gable end(s)?

 

[expertreslish]

@freddiemercurystwin - Is this any better?

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[Koolpc]

In all probability, that 'sagging' timber has always been like that!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Yes just looks like a bit of bowing that's occurred over it's lifespan, millions of older houses are built to lesser structural integrity than would be required nowadays.

 

[expertreslish]

That's great to hear. Thank you all.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I'll see if I can get over there and grab another image square on from the front. Thank you.


Thanks, HB. I like this idea. With a seemingly identical roof, does your roof have the strapping to the gable end(s)?

None that I am aware of, or can see.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Yes just looks like a bit of bowing that's occurred over it's lifespan, millions of older houses are built to lesser structural integrity than would be required nowadays.

I suspect that they would not build to that same design, because the large dimensions of the timber, plus the length, would make it far too expensive. The sheer weight of that beam, would make them difficult to manhandle, too.

 

[Nige F]

[

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?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Nige knows all about things sagging at his age.