Remove supports no longer needed for attic cistern?

[tuck1s]

We've recently had our system boiler and hot water cylinder (in the airing cupboard) replaced. All went smoothly, we now have a pressure-fed system hot and cold, so the CH vent tank and cold water cistern have both gone. We're left with the support for the tanks that was previously distributing the considerable weight vertically down into the roof trusses - see pics.

I'd like to remove the ply (have to cut it into 3 pieces to get it back through the hatch) and the horizontals so I can re-finish the loft with a bit more insulation and boards at the same level as the rest of the attic. As far as I can tell, I would not be weakening the trusses by removing all the unneeded stuff, but I wanted to check here first.

 

[cdbe]

Why remove the ply when it could be used as flooring?

 

[tuck1s]

Why remove the ply when it could be used as flooring?

It could be reused, and it's obviously good stuff. However it might make more sense to use T+G that keys in with the existing boards. I firstly want to know it's going to be OK structurally.

 

[JohnD]

You can remove the platform, but do not cut or remove any of the original structure. If this has already been done it must be reinstated. Stand back and take wider pics to show the whole roof construction.

 

[tuck1s]

You can remove the platform, but do not cut or remove any of the original structure. If this has already been done it must be reinstated. Stand back and take wider pics to show the whole roof construction.

Here's more views.Nothing has changed yet, apart from the tank removal.

 

[JohnD]

It would make a useful table for putting things on, but awkward to walk round.

 

[tuck1s]

It would make a useful table for putting things on, but awkward to walk round.

Yep, if you think it's an important part of the structure, I'll leave it and just put a bit more insulation under it

 

[JohnD]

No, you can remove the added platform

Just keep it if it would be useful

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

OK to remove it! It's definitely not holding anything, the other trusses are fine without a dining table. Get rid, it looks like it's a massive obstacle.

Off topic, I'm more intrigued by the hole under the wall at the far end.

 

[noseall]

Off topic, I'm more intrigued by the hole under the wall at the far end.

I thought that was a mirror.

 

[JohnD]

Gun port.

 

[catlad]

Yes deconstruct it and use the ply to walk on as its a lot better than what you are putting up there.
Even if you just screw it over the top of what you have already laid.

 

[tuck1s]

The hole at the far end is far less exciting than a gun port (although that's a good idea!) It's a crawl-through to a lower roofline above a dual-aspect bedroom. This is as originally built - I think they designed it as a 4-bed house with an extension bolted on from the start.

 

[blup]

Don't touch the trusses