Roof in trouble?

azzeretti

I am not sure if this is the correct forum...mods please move it not.

Could someone take a look at the attached photo and tell me what they think? This is a photo of my roof, its less than 6 years old and during the last couple of months I have noticed the wavy concave appearance (most notable above the left most skylight) noted in the photos, should I be concerned?

sinnerboy

Tiling battens , at the least appear to be over stressed . Keep "an aye out" for slates slipping .

Look internally - is there any sign of cracking in the plasterboard ceiling - horizontal , running across , not along the roof slope . Even hairline cracks - i.e. where two sheets of plasterboard join before the overskim

If so monitor them to see if they get wider . Draw a perfect X accross the crack ( in pencil ) .

\/
--
/\ ( best I can do - sorry )

Monitor over weeks / months to see if X distorts .


If it does this could indicate that the rafters have not been trimmed correctly

That is - at either side of the velux the rafters should have doubled up . If this was not done then the sagging may be due to overstressed rafters .

azzeretti

sinnerboy wrote: »

Tiling battens , at the least appear to be over stressed . Keep "an aye out" for slates slipping .

Look internally - is there any sign of cracking in the plasterboard ceiling - horizontal , running across , not along the roof slope . Even hairline cracks - i.e. where two sheets of plasterboard join before the overskim

If so monitor them to see if they get wider . Draw a perfect X accross the crack ( in pencil ) .

\/
--
/\ ( best I can do - sorry )

Monitor over weeks / months to see if X distorts .


If it does this could indicate that the rafters have not been trimmed correctly

That is - at either side of the velux the rafters should have doubled up . If this was not done then the sagging may be due to overstressed rafters .

Thanks. There doesn't seem to be any cracks at all on the ceiling. It is a dormer if that makes any difference.

What if it is overstressed rafters? Can I leave it / fix it?

sinnerboy

The photo does not look like a dormer ? - just sloped roof with veluxes

Overstressed rafters will not usually collapse unless overstressed significantly .
But they may still cause a hazard by deflections which cause slates to slip . And disfigure internal decorations with cracks - and put buyers ( who they ? ) off .

It is possible to carry out remedial works - but not pretty . Such as plaster cut away to insert additional rafters - pain in the swiss .

You should ask an experienced engineer to investigate and report .

Don't just rely on posts here .

azzeretti

Sorry for being a muppet here but what type of engineer? Are they contactable in the golden pages etc.?

p.s does the fact its a dormer bungalow make any difference?

bauderline

I would say there is an issue of some description with that roof, I am not going to speculate as I am anything but an expert. Best call one in, a structural engineer is what you need.

I would guess even an examination of the roof will be tricky but best to get it done before it gets any worse.... which it might well do....

B.

azzeretti

Thanks.. I will try and sort that out. Does anyone know if this type of structural damage might be covered in typical house building insurance?

p.s To Kadman.....thanks for the advice...I can't PM you back for some reason though.

Should be under builders warranty, any major structural defects within 10 years.

azzeretti

Deleted User wrote: »

Should be under builders warranty, any major structural defects within 10 years.

Well this builder wasn't homebound but did put a 6 year warranty in writting. Trouble is, this guy is a cowboy and I would suspect he would bankrupt him self before agreeing to fix this.

azzeretti

Anyone know how much a structural engineer might charge (ballpark) from look at this roof?

Irjudge1

I would guess €500 - €750 for an initial dilapidation assessment inlcusive of written report. I know a very good guy. If you would like details PM me.