Crack in a Rafter, do I need to worry about it?

[LLL]

There is a rafter in the loft I found has a crack, the rafter under the felt supports the tiles, the crack is in the middle of the rafter seems small but could be new, it only about a metre long and did not go through it, it could be caused by a storm or recent roof clearing a few weeks ago, a guy took a big bucket of water standing on it, is it something I need to worry about? 

 

Is it something insurance can cover if that is serious? 

 

thanks 

 

 

[Conor]

It's nothing, wood cracks and twists all the time without losing much strength.

[ToughButterCup]

  On 28/01/2025 at 12:03, LLL said:

There is a rafter in the loft I found has a craft, the rafter under the felt supports the tiles, the crack is in the middle of the rafter seems small ....

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It's a 'shake'. Normal. Forget it.

[Nickfromwales]

  On 28/01/2025 at 13:10, Conor said:

It's nothing, wood cracks and twists all the time without losing much strength.

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Yup. Bad ‘cracks’ go across the timber (a snap), but splits along the length that run with the grain are completely normal and are common place (naturally occurring).

 

All good 👍 

[Beau]

As said it's just a 'shake' or most probably heart shake. Very common when the board is cut near or includes what was the centre of the tree 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakes_(timber)

[LLL]

thank you all! 

 

Also, it seems the condensation makes the rafters wet, is it something I should do? I am sure this is not due to leakage since it is nearly everywhere and the felt is wet. This condensation should be here for many years but will it be safe to leave it for the next 10-20 years? 

 

[kandgmitchell]

You have what's known as a "cold roof" i.e the insulation is at ceiling level leaving the loft space cold. The loft should be ventilated to remove the moisture. It looks like there's plenty of insulation, is it blocking the eaves ventilation route (if there is one)?

[ToughButterCup]

Yep, ventilate your roof space.

 

Look at the eaves

• Can cold air get in here ? (If so, good)
• Can warmer air rise and flow out of the top of your roof space (If so, good)

here's an image stolen (fair and square) from 'fixmyroof'   that illustrates what we mean.

Its common for the roof space airflow to be blocked off by added insulation ... not to worry, its an easy fix.

 

[LLL]

I am not sure, likely there is no ventilation from the eaves and the top of the roof. But 4 tile-like vents (2 on each side) have been installed recently, does that make a difference? 

 

 

 

[Redbeard]

  On 30/01/2025 at 11:46, LLL said:

But 4 tile-like vents (2 on each side) have been installed recently, does that make a difference? 

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It will be better than nothing at all, but compared to a 15-20mm slot all along the eaves on both sides it will be less than exciting. Also, venting from the eaves gives better 'purging' of warm moist areas. Tile vents part-way up leave areas of 'dead' air.