Roof Strut Slipped Out?

[c0m47053]

Hi,

Have just purchased a first house and have been investigating the loft, with a view to creating some storage space up there.

While clearing out the crap left up there by the previous owner, I have spotted that one of the struts appears to have come out of it's intended position in the purlin. It was held in with two nails that are now a little bent, but it does sort of block access to the loft via the hatch, so could have been knocked out by accident by the previous owner.

The house is semi-detached so has a hipped roof, there are three struts (one on each side), and the strut that has detached is on the side opposite the neighbor.

Looking at the strut and the purlin, these no longer marry up, which leads me to suspect that the purlin has sagged without the support of the strut.

Is this something I need to be dealing with urgently?

I had a structural survey done on the house prior to purchase, which came back with no reported issues regarding the roof. Does anyone know if I should now be looking at getting the surveyor to cover the cost of repair?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Photo?

 

[c0m47053]

Will get up there and take some later today.

 

[c0m47053]

Here are some photos, a bit crappy as access and lighting is limited but should show the problem.

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• c0m47053
• 22 Nov 2013
• 1

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• c0m47053
• 22 Nov 2013
• 1

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• c0m47053
• 22 Nov 2013
• 1

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• c0m47053
• 22 Nov 2013
• 1

 

[catlad]

I doubt you will be able move the purlin back onto that notch so I would cut the notch to were it meets the purlin now and fix it back to the purlin with a couple of 4" screws.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

What he said.

 

[rjm2k]

Looks like its nailed in place so taking it out to adjust may allow more sag. Is there room to leave it and add another next to it which can be joined to the original? Either that or can you get a saw in to extend the notch but leave the nail intact?

 

[c0m47053]

Sorry If the pictures don't show it, but it is currently completely detached. I can wobble it about, so it is not providing any support.

Thanks for the suggestion catlad, will have a look at cutting it back to re sit it.

 

[tony1851]

Does anyone know if I should now be looking at getting the surveyor to cover the cost of repair?

The surveyor should have spotted that, but why go to the trouble of holding him liable.
Annoying though it is, you would have to prove that it was structurally unsound,
and that would be difficult and expensive.
It doesn't look as though it would be tricky to fix yourself. Why not do that and then forget about it?