CLS Timber in Loft, Is it rot starting or something else???

[steveoelliott]

Hi all,

My loft is boarded using CLS as the supports which have been screwed into the trusses. Boards are then laid and screwed on top of them.

I've noticed a couple of these CLS beams now have what looks to either be rot or perhaps the sap coming out of them. As you can see from the pictures it is a relatively small area but if you press your nail into it, it feels soft.

Do we think this is anything to worry about? Should the beams maybe be replaced with something higher grade than CLS? Of course lofts tend to be damp places.

Thanks...

Untitled

• steveoelliott
• 16 Dec 2014
• 1

Untitled

• steveoelliott
• 16 Dec 2014
• 1

Untitled

• steveoelliott
• 16 Dec 2014
• 1

 

[big-all]

yes resin pockets no problems at all as you say sap

 

[steveoelliott]

OK... That comes as some relief...

But... These have been in the loft for a while and it seems odd that they suddenly appear?

The screws attaching to the trusses run under this area so does it weaken the CLS timber strength much?

 

[big-all]

the resin will always have been there the heat off the summer would have made it less viscose more runny
few resin pockets cause a problem they can vary from around less than 5-15% off the structure so not a problem
the ones in your picture are small for the size off timber

incidentally burning offcuts like that give you that lovely wood smell

 

[steveoelliott]

Ahh ok, thanks... So it has come to the surface / become noticeable.

It was only because that area feels soft when pressed I became concerned.

 

[big-all]

Ahh ok, thanks... So it has come to the surface / become noticeable.

It was only because that area feels soft when pressed I became concerned.

if it was a maple tree it would be the main ingredient for maple syrup

 

[steveoelliott]

Thanks... I'll keep an eye on it anyway.

 

[big-all]

no need to its dead it wont do anything else