Loft Joists - Should I replace?

sundin13

Hi All,

We moved into our edwardian semi in the summer and have had to pay out an awful lot of money to fix some of its 'issues'.

Today I was feeling quite pleased with myself, having managed to arrange free loft insulation via our council's scheme.

Unfortunately, my good mood was somewhat ruined when I watched the fitters walking across the loft joists going "bl%$dy h^ll, these are bouncy".

So, my question is - should I replace the joists, and how much roughly would it cost (hundreds, thousands?)

More detail and pictures
Our top floor is half liveable room, and half dusty loft space (see picture). The joists in the loft space are considerably smaller than in the liveable bit, and there's been some woodworm in them in the past. I also suspect that the ceiling below has fallen in at some point in time, because it doesn't have a centre ceiling light - just a not too subtle wallpaper patching job.

I hope (one day) to be able to convert the loft bit into liveable space, so I can have a big top floor for the kids. I'm therefore wondering if replacing the joists with whatever BC would demand of me would be worth doing now - even if I don't convert it for a few years (roof needs doing first).

http://img573.imageshack.us/g/dscn2497.jpg/


Thank you all very much for any help you can offer

S13

WillowCat

I did that this summer as part of a full renovation.

However I'm not planning to ever convert the loft (hip roofed end of terrace so no room) and my worry if I had wanted a conversion in the future would be that doing to specifications now might still not be adequate when the time comes to do the conversion.

My joists were only 2 x 2 timbers, not even really strong enough to hold the lath and plaster ceilings (were very bowed) let alone store stuff in the loft.

We ripped down the ceilings, and bit by bit (so the roof didn't spread) replaced the 2 x 2 with 6 x 2 treated timbers. Full sheets chipboard flooring went up and we now have a very strong storage area - but not to loft conversion specifications. It only took our builder about 6 days to replace the timbers, (40sq m) but this was in an empty, not lived in house.

phill99

There is a saying : "If it aint broke, don't fix it." As it is, the ceiling has lasted 100 years. If it was goinjfg to fall in it would have done so by now.

If you want to use it as decent storage, you may need to grade the timbers. If you're not using it for storage, then it will be fine as it is. Just because building regs move on and change, it doesn't mean that your loft is unsafe.

ormus

generally you dont replace them. you just double up on them (if required). far cheaper and easier.

sundin13

Cheers for that everyone. I think next time I've got a builder in for some reason I'll have a chat with them about doubling up the joists, just for piece of mind. But I'll hope that that's a long time hence!!!

googler

One of the american DIY progs that I saw a couple of years ago tackled the same problem by doubling up the joists, adding 'engineered lumber' (laminated joists) to the side of them, securing the two together with carriage bolts.

Also; http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_6681869_level-floor-sistering-wood-joists.html