My early 1800s property is suffering from roof spread and distortion of the tile hipping caused by the existing tile covering being too heavy for the original roof framework. Estimates from professionals for the strengthening and tying of the roof framework vary inexplicably from £5k to well over £10k and I am wondering whether to do the work myself, when I have determined exactly what needs to be done. I'd be grateful for any advice at all as money is tight!
Rod Donegan
strengthening
I would expect it to be expensive.
AFAIK before you can fix the problems with the underlying timbers, you need to strip off the tiles to remove the weight from the roof.
The timbers will need upgrading - presumably to a structural engineer's specifications - then the tiles replaced with any breakages made good (if matching roof tiles are available) or new tiles fitted.
Do you know why it is going now?
If it has lasted since the early 1800s then it can't have been that badly built.
Has someone replaced the tiles with heavier e.g. concrete tiles? This is one common cause of roof timbers failing.
ISTR the people across the road paid about £20k for their roof to be done (1930s house with design fault in roof) but it is a very big roof - chalet style - and they had all new tiles.
[The house next door to them, same design, shows all the signs of spreading as well]Probably not a newbie DIY job; you will also need scaffolding for the duration of the job.
HTH Dave R
strengthening
First, speak to your house insurers. They might not be willing to cover you unless the work has been done professionally.
Colin Bignell
Hi,
Might be worth paying a independent roofing specialist or structural engineer to give you some advice, your local council may be able to give you some leads. If the tiles are original and it's been like that since the 1800s, then it could well be OK for some time longer.
In any case it's worth keeping the roof in good condition so the timbers don't get damp or wet as this makes wood more flexible. If there was some way of monitoring movement of the timbers then you could check whether it was getting worse or not.
cheers, Pete.
If these quotes are for strengthening and tying only, without removing and replacing tiles, then even £5,000 is too expensive, IMO. A competant DIYer could tackle this job, again IMO. Ideally engage a structural engineer to give a report of what is needed. If he charged £3-400 that would be reasonable (might be more!). Get him to explain any technical jargon liaise with him/her over the project. Or discuss with a local BCO - they are tremendously helpful (usually)
Hugh
Many thanks for all the advice given.
I will get a structural engineer in and go from there.
R Donegan
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