Purlin has a crack/split. Big job? Surely not??

[Reptilia82]

Hi thanks for reading

Just noticed a split in a purlin. No noticeble signs of roof sagging though. It was slightly concealed by a peice of brown paper . Nice surprise from the previous owner isnt it?

I wasnt concerned about fixing this until I heard a voicemail reaction from a roofer I have shown a photo to. Had the tone to his voice like it was the end of the world and going into the weekend, it is on my mind now stressing me out.

Looking it up. It just looks like it needs a metal “flitch plate” fitting ? Or am I wrong??? (Not a DIY master here)

Again thank you for reading.

 

[Jurassicspark]

You can usesome steel angles bolted through the purlin to strengthen it at the weak spot.

A strut below the purlin can be a temporary fix too.

Was there any roof related work carried out recently by any previous owners?

 

[Reptilia82]

No the roof seems fine. Ive had a roofer out last year to do minor repairs above bedroom bay window. Tiny leak. But the roof seems good.

Ill google what you wrote thank you so much.
Not a massive job is it??? Can someone take me to the cleaners here if I’m not clued up??

 

[big-all]

no expert but the damage and the covering up all look at least 5-10 years old possibly much much more so no immediate danger but needs a proffesional opinion

 

[Reptilia82]

Terrifying ‍

Thank you again mate

 

[Jurassicspark]

OP - I think it would be good if you got a pro in to inspect it. Can't really tell from the pictures.

If I was you I'd be curious in what's caused the split.

 

[Reptilia82]

Really? Yes good point. I was SUSPECTING that it is just a knot in the wood?
Like aging perhaps??
What expert do you think?
Like…who do i get out??

Cheers

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Not a massive job is it??? Can someone take me to the cleaners here if I’m not clued up??

No, and I would say no need to panic, it’s been like that a long time.

I cannot make it out from the photos, but are there two similar timbers, side by side, one mostly hidden? Is there a second timber, like that, at the other side of the loft I wonder?

I would be planning to add a piece of steel to reinforce that. It really needs to be bolted, you will not be able fit nuts at the back, because of the narrow gap, due to the twist and second timber. So instead, you would have to use coach bolts. I would tighten the coach bolts very gradually, a little at a time, over days or weeks, watching how the timber and roof reacts. Finally, once it is all pulled tight together, you could drill to add threaded rods, nuts and washers, via the gap.

 

[Reptilia82]

Oh wow that’s a lot to process. Thank you so much…But judging by all the help in these comments. The roofer coming out next week is going to make this see massive isnt he?

 

[big-all]

Oh wow that’s a lot to process. Thank you so much…But judging by all the help in these comments. The roofer coming out next week is going to make this see massive isnt he?

to be fair the only recommendation is usually whats needed plus 50% for safety and that suggestion is what any man worth his salt will suggest which will be way over the top but safe
you can off course go the structural engineers route this will be possibly less heavy support but at greater cost
its such an unusual split as its not flat it will need a multi layer solution to give enough added strength and support to the timber its self and distribute the load to other areas

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Oh wow that’s a lot to process. Thank you so much…But judging by all the help in these comments. The roofer coming out next week is going to make this see massive isnt he?

It's not really a job for a roofer, more of job for a good joiner/carpenter.

 

[aveatry]

What is that timber behind it - has someone already repaired it by sistering it and in the second picture in the background I see a modern hanger - more signs of a repair already carried out ?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

What is that timber behind it - has someone already repaired it by sistering it and in the second picture in the background I see a modern hanger - more signs of a repair already carried out ?

I queried that second timber in #8.

 

[cdbe]

As Harry says, but I don't think there's a gap between the two (other than where the split part has twisted). A nice steel plate (something like 1.2m long x height of purlin x 8mm thick) , some M12 bolts and washers from Screwfix through all three and a weekly trip up there with a spanner to slowly pull them all together.

Plenty of scope to get ripped off here but you should be looking at £100 materials and a days labour to cover measuring up, drawing a pattern for the bolt holes, ordering/collecting materials and a couple of hours to fit it. I don't know how your skills are in terms of a bit of ongoing spanner work.

I would guess that hanger is a "dirty" way of carrying a bit of chimney breast. Not that it's something I've done!!!!!

 

[Reptilia82]

Yea that all sounds amazing but…greek to me
I’m getting rinsed next week. Clearly.
Cheers mate