Andy62

Its a purlin cladded in wood. It was here when I purchased the property. Perlins in above it are all oak so I am hoping this one is too.

It had lime/lath and plaster over it. I wanted to check the beam as there has been a leak where it sits. Just wanted to check to see if it was wet so I removed only one side and found a crack in the truss.

In all honesty it looks like it has always been like it. I wouldnt be surprised if it happened when it was installed decades ago and they have just put lath and plaster over it and left it. The reason I say it is because the wood is absolutely solid, no insect damage, no softness nothing! Its in perfect condition.

We have been doing some investigations internally following a small leak after storm Bram and to our shock found a truss has split at the bottom where it goes into the stone wall of our house. We will have to contact a structural surveyer but what are my options? Is this going to cost the earth. The rest of the truss which goes up into the loft is solid and in perfect condition. I am worried there maybe others like this now but this does look like its been like it for years.

I will get up there today and take some pictures and upload them on here. Thank you

We have a small hole in a loft joist that needs filling. Can anyone recommend d a good quality wood filler or resin we can use to fill it. Thank you

Warranty is a good idea. The roofer did say he would give me a 10 year warranty but didn't put it in writing. I will contact him and see what he says. Thank you for commenting.

Yes, we were not told about the work the builder just did it. I have double checked his invoices and there is nothing other than wood for new battens, felt, screws, cost of removal of all old tiles and ridge tiles, cost to buy new slate tiles, new ridges tiles. Leading and fitting costs for leadimg for around the chimneys and some windows and new fascia boards and guttering. I cannot see all of the work he did. The photos of the work weren't taken by me they were taken by a friend who stayed at my house whilst the work was being done as we had to go away. it wasn't until I went in the loft and noticed loads of new wood that I did a double take. I can't see how I can be liable for anything if I didn't even know the work had been done and I have the proof in the invoices. Thanks again for commenting!

I think I will get some legal advice on the matter to confirm my rights and go from there. We did ask the builder from the outset if it required Building Control sign off and he said no. We are only general property owners so relied on our builders knowledge and expertise. He has been in the building trade 40 years. Hopefully we can resolve our concerns as we want to move in the next few years and downsize. Thank for taking the time to comment.

Thank you for all you comments its put my mind at rest. Our house isn't listed. We did ask if it required Building control approval from the outset and he said no as he was simply replacing tiles like for like and not touching the structure. We were poorly advised at the time it seems. I just hope it can be approved as it would make life easier when we come to sell. Will the roofer get in trouble for this if I try and get retrospective sign off? Fingers crossed I can.

Its a 100 year old farmhouse and had a very old roof you are correct. My main concern is the work may have needed building control sign off and we had no option to use this route as he didn't tell us he had done so much work. During any sale thwy might ask for info. Is £28,000 about right for the work done? We have no invoices for the work it only shows costs for new slate tiles, new felt, wood, screws, replacement for a new lintel that was rotten, lead work for one hip ridge, interlocking dry ridge tiles to the main ridge and other 3 hip ridges. There's no charges for strengthening rafters or ridge internally. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I'll add some pictures of the finished roof to add context.

Alan Ambrose my main concern is it might have needed building control sign off and it might hinder a house sale. Its reassuring to hear the work was needed and strengthens the roof that can only be a positive thing. Thank you for commenting.

This is what's strange I have never seen pieces of wood attached to a truss. It is screwed into the old ridge beam but not attached at the end. The old ridge is underneath it when you look under the new piece of wood. Is this okay? I have no idea so it would be good to understand why he has done this. Is this the truss in this picture? - Yellow arrow. These are all the way along the ridge. An estimate of the length of the roof without slopes is 13 metres. There is a hip at each end. Not sure how long the slope is.

He quoted for a complete roof tile replacement like for like grey slate, added roof liner which we didn't have before. He said he needed to replace all roof battens due to adding the roof liner. He also had to replace a window lintel. He charged £28,000 but didn't mention adding any new wood to rafters or ridge area which is in the first picture. I will upload a closer image now as its not clear in the picture on here.