Loft insulation in space with friable/brittle roof torching

[Jimbo23]

I am moving into a place where the (felt-less) roof is old and the torching is old and brittle.

 

I want to install new insulation to meet regulations (270mm) but with torching falling all the time, I don't want my snazzy new insulation to become a haven for cement. 

 

What is the best option here, should I get loft boards installed on stilts?

[Mr Punter]

The tiles will need to come off at some stage and new felt fitted.  If the torching issue is that bad you need to get it done sooner, if not, just insulate and have a tidy up every couple of years.

[Jimbo23]

  On 04/02/2023 at 19:08, Mr Punter said:

The tiles will need to come off at some stage and new felt fitted.  If the torching issue is that bad you need to get it done sooner, if not, just insulate and have a tidy up every couple of years.

Expand  

 

It's nearly 100 (1920s house) years of torching so I guess it can't be *that* bad otherwise the loft space would be full and there'd be no torching left but yes, I do need to get it done and will do within the next 5-7 years. For now though, we can't afford a full replacement, but definitely need to have it insulated - so would boards be the best option?

 

[jayc89]

Just retorch? If it’s that old I suspect it will have been done in lime. A bugger for a job, but it’s DIYable