Previous owner botched job!

[L36Ben]

So... I'm new here and looking for some advise.

We bought a house a while back and the guy was a DIY guy, albeit not a good one.

Main issue at the moment is the upstairs ceiling is starting to sink noticeably.

I've been up and it doesn't look like it has any support. It's got 3 velux windows fitted before we moved in and it's been boarded.

I would think some support would be needed, look at the photos to see that the is literally nothing.

I need some advise on how to save this before it collapses in completely, I know at this point I can't fix it to a point where the sinking is no longer visible but I will at least be able to strengthen it in it's current condition.

I could just buy some 3x2 and attach one end to the floor joists, but do I attach that to the roof joists that's run diagonally down the roof or do I attach them to the long piece of timber running across?

Advise would be appreciated.

 

[mattylad]

I can';t help but what exactly does the "Danger" sign on the joist say?

 

[L36Ben]

I can';t help but what exactly does the "Danger" sign on the joist say?

Just basically says past that point the loft isn't boarded.

 

[Ian H]

On ours there was a 3x1 from the rafters (just in front of the purlin) down the every other joist, then a 4x2 fixed flat along all joists.

You can just about see them on this:

That’s after I replaced the joists so the 4x2 isn’t there.

 

[L36Ben]

On ours there was a 3x1 from the rafters (just in front of the outline) down the every other joist, then a 4x2 fixed flat along all joists.

You can just about see them on this:
View attachment 165595

That’s after I replaced the joists so the 4x2 isn’t there.

This might solve my problem. On one of my photos you can see we have one of those actually still attached right in the corner and two of them are just sat leaning against the wall.

So rafters to the floor joists should stop it sinking further.

Thanks mate

 

[Ian H]

Your welcome

 

[Keithmac]

With our roof, it has several ceiling ties/ supports but they are in between rafters (presumably to give them more support?).

Basically rafter - ceiling tie - rafter sandwhich.

 

[Leofric]

Are we talking about adding hangers and binders to provide additional support to the ceiling joists ?

 

[L36Ben]

Are we talking about adding hangers and binders to provide additional support to the ceiling joists ?

Yeah, the ceiling is sagging it has literally no support.

Just trying to find a way to give it some support. In other lofts I've seen wood attached to rafters and ceiling joist, I've seen supports from the large horizontal purlin etc, lots of different ways.

Just looking for some advice on best steps to add some stability

 

[Leofric]

Do you know the size, spacing and span of the ceiling joists

 

[L36Ben]

Size, spacing and span of the ceiling joists

I'll go up in the loft tomorrow and get this information for you, thanks mate.

 

[Leofric]

I'll go up in the loft tomorrow and get this information for you, thanks mate.

When you get the information give it to Tony ,he will advise on the additional roof timbers required if necessary might be in the old Approved Document A ,haven't looked yet.

 

[L36Ben]

Ok so I think I've got everything.

Size spacing span of ceiling joists

Loft area, chimney to chimney:
Length
550cm
Width
360cm


Ceiling joints:
40mm
X 100mm

Two long joists go across chimney to chimney sized at:
90mm
X
45mm

Spaced at 33cm - 35cm


I think originally this is what was up there.

Its behind the water tank so I'm assuming when they did whatever work they did up here they couldn't get to this one to take it off.

I have a lot of 4x1 in 2.4m lengths, would I be best just to run one of these on every other rafter the the ceiling joist?

I can see holes where nails used to be in some of the rafters at the exact same height as the one remaining support

Some more pictures attached.

 

[catlad]

That piece of timber nailed to the floor ie. ceiling ties is your binder and need a few hangers putting back on it to stop any more sagging. You can wind the ceiling back up if you want to get rid of the sagging.

 

[L36Ben]

That piece of timber nailed to the floor ie. ceiling ties is your binder and need a few hangers putting back on it to stop any more sagging. You can wind the ceiling back up if you want to get rid of the sagging.

If I attached supports to that and then the rafters, with it being just nailed on the top of the joists will it not just lift the binder off the ceiling joists