What should an attic roof look like from inside?

bluestarlight

I know this is a probably a silly question, but as I've always lived in a flat I have no experience of house roofs, so here goes!

We have bought a house, went for a second viewing today and managed to get into the loft for the first time. It is not insulated, on the sides so we could see the wooden slats running horizontally with the tiles on top of them. We noticed there was a small hole (about 4cm wide) where we could see outside. Is this really bad, or something that can be fixed easily?

We can get free insulation from the council, so thats ok.

The loft is boarded for storage but nothing else has been done to it. Eventually we'd like to convert it, but for now insulated and boarded for storage is fine til we can afford it.

Its a 1960s semi detached.

We are having a full buildings survey done on Tuesday, but if you know anything about what it should look like, please put my mind at rest

Gloomendoom

It's perfectly normal. Don't worry. The hole won't matter unless there is water coming through it and that should be easy to judge at the moment!

You may have to lose the loft boarding if you want to insulate properly.

bluestarlight

thank you so much, we were getting a bit worried!

Is it easy enough to put boarding on top of the insulation afterwards?

Thanks

SailorSam

I can see only the slates in my loft, but this is about 1940s, i would have thought that by the 60s all houses would have had felt. Still there shouldn't be any problems. Depending upon what and where the hole is it may have been left for ventilation.

bluestarlight

To be honest SailorSam, I guessed at the age

it could be earlier...

Gloomendoom

bluestarlight wrote: »

thank you so much, we were getting a bit worried!

Is it easy enough to put boarding on top of the insulation afterwards?

Thanks

Yes, you can but it is a lot more work. The ceiling joists are probably only 4" deep while the insulation will be 10"-12" thick so you need to support the flooring above the insulation.

bluestarlight

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Yes, you can but it is a lot more work. The ceiling joists are probably only 4" deep while the insulation will be 10"-12" thick so you need to support the flooring above the insulation.

Would it be better having this work done before the insulation? So it was ready to be boarded afterwards?

Thanks so much for all the advice.

macman

A lack of roofing felt indicates that the roof is fairly old-I'm guessing pre-1970's?
Of course that does not mean that it is necessarily in bad condition, but a visible hole will allow water in too.

MX5huggy

As you are having a full structural survey, (not just a valuation survey I hope). Your surveyor will be able to offer much better advice on the roof than any of us working off your description.

Having said that no felt is not an indication of any particular problem. Except is shows the roof is fairly old 50 plus years, this is not an issue in its self but should bare it in mind.

Again the hole may be no issue if it is in particular positions, ask your surveyor to specifically check this, it may be one missing tile.

With the insulation there is no reason not to just have it put over the existing boarding, but then you can't store stuff on top.

If you are serious about converting the loft, then I would put Celotex insulation at rafter level (thats the timbers that slope) then you won't need to insulate twice.

bluestarlight

Definitely having a full survey. I was just curious in the meantime, its my first time buying so a little nervous!

We arent looking for a full loft conversion at the moment, just would be handy to store stuff up there so we would like it insulated and in time plastered and converted. Once we've saved up again!

The local council do free insulation so we'll get them to come round and have a look when we move in to see whats what.

Thanks all.

fatbikersbouncebetter

the roof is pre 1949, when underfelt became standard building regs. If its slate, they have been there 100+ yrs then despite being OK, the nails that hold them to the slates were either copper (unlikely) or mild steel that by now will be 'iffy'.
Under no circumstances have that foam sprayed on th underside.
Long term a strip off and new membrane and slats 'may'be needed. The hole can be sorted.
Insulating the floor of the loft is a good idea, but will not help the roof. Full survey is s good idea, but unless lots of slates have slipped, then its not bust..... so don't fix it.
:A