Advise Following HomeBuyers Report - Roof support/trussing

PheoUK

Hi All,

Just got my homebuyers report, and it notes that there is "insufficient bracing" in the roof space:

The roof frame lacks adequate bracing and restraint. Provide both in accordance with current Building Regulations to prevent movement of the trusses. There is no ventilation to the roof void. This is leading to condensation requiring the

installation of appropriate means of ventilation. Current Building Regulations require insulated and under-felted roofs to be ventilated to prevent condensation within the roof void. In severe cases the lack of ventilation can result in decay to timbers.

Just wondering if anyone with more experience can comment as to whether its common to see this kind of thing due to continual development of building regs, and its unlikely to need doing unless we are doing something else/getting the roof done, or if there was a problem with it which needs resolving.

For further information, property is a 1974 terraced house, presumably ex council. Mainly Brick construction, concrete tile to the roof. Other issues highlighted in the roof void include:

- damp to chimney breast possibly affecting other timbers - possibly failed flashing
- damage to underlay / felting of the roof surface particularly around the gutters
- damp to toilet roof internally likely caused either by the above, or failure of the flashing
Anyone wanting to comment on the above is most welcome as well!!

missprice

Strangely I have a similar report on a 1930s house I am hopefully about to buy.
Not the roof trusses they seem to be OK, but the lack of ventilation and a need to put adequate ventilation in.

I have assumed that as its still standing with roof on for nearly 90 years, that its not a urgent thing. Also the flashing appears to need work/replacement around the chimney.

The whole report taken out of context would probably scare the bejeezuz out of me.

On the other hand as I am getting the house fairly cheap I did think there may be a reason other than the 60s deco, the stench of old tobacco and the inordinately tiny kitchen. The kitchen could not fit 2 people in at the same time. Also the possibility of asbestos, the garage single skin with no piers/supports, the ancient electrics etc etc

I think from what you say of the ventilation issues and the flashing, these are reasonably cheap fixes. I don't have a clue about your trusses though.

missprice

missprice wrote: »

Strangely I have a similar report on a 1930s house I am hopefully about to buy.
Not the roof trusses they seem to be OK, but the lack of ventilation and a need to put adequate ventilation in.

I have assumed that as its still standing with roof on for nearly 90 years, that its not a urgent thing. Also the flashing appears to need work/replacement around the chimney.

The whole report taken out of context would probably scare the bejeezuz out of me.

On the other hand as I am getting the house fairly cheap I did think there may be a reason other than the 60s deco, the stench of old tobacco and the inordinately tiny kitchen. The kitchen could not fit 2 people in at the same time. Also the possibility of asbestos, the garage single skin with no piers/supports, the ancient electrics etc etc

I think from what you say of the ventilation issues and the flashing, these are reasonably cheap fixes. I don't have a clue about your trusses though.

Eta the surveyor found signs of rat poison, that scared me more than the darn roof problems :rotfl:

Was supposed to be an edit not a quote sorry.

Furts

PheoUK wrote: »

Hi All,

Just got my homebuyers report, and it notes that there is "insufficient bracing" in the roof space:



Just wondering if anyone with more experience can comment as to whether its common to see this kind of thing due to continual development of building regs, and its unlikely to need doing unless we are doing something else/getting the roof done, or if there was a problem with it which needs resolving.

For further information, property is a 1974 terraced house, presumably ex council. Mainly Brick construction, concrete tile to the roof. Other issues highlighted in the roof void include:

- damp to chimney breast possibly affecting other timbers - possibly failed flashing
- damage to underlay / felting of the roof surface particularly around the gutters

The lack of bracing is a straight forward upgrade with 25mmx1000mm timber, ideally treated. There is diagonal, longitudinal, chevron, wind bracing etc. to be considered.

The ventilation is easily remedied be it twist and lock circular soffit vents or over fascia vents. The latter would have an advantage as your roof felt could be remedied at the same time.

The roof felt issue at the gutters is probably degradation of the felt (cheap felt was used then). It may also be the lack of a tilting fillet of timber behind the fascia. Again, this is a common fault and easily rectified.

When this work is being done consider your fascias. If these are the original timber they need checking and I suggest re-decorating or replacing. Your house may have rot treated/preservative treated fascias, if it is ex-council. If it were a private house of the same era I would not expect this. In practical terms assume they are not treated. If sound they could have preservative brushed on them.

Hope this helps.

PheoUK

Furts wrote: »

The lack of bracing is a straight forward upgrade with 25mmx1000mm timber, ideally treated. There is diagonal, longitudinal, chevron, wind bracing etc. to be considered.

The ventilation is easily remedied be it twist and lock circular soffit vents or over fascia vents. The latter would have an advantage as your roof felt could be remedied at the same time.

The roof felt issue at the gutters is probably degradation of the felt (cheap felt was used then). It may also be the lack of a tilting fillet of timber behind the fascia. Again, this is a common fault and easily rectified.

When this work is being done consider your fascias. If these are the original timber they need checking and I suggest re-decorating or replacing. Your house may have rot treated/preservative treated fascias, if it is ex-council. If it were a private house of the same era I would not expect this. In practical terms assume they are not treated. If sound they could have preservative brushed on them.

Hope this helps.

Much, puts my mind at risk that its unlikely to be a massive problem, pretty simple roof remedy. Beleive the fascias have been done, in that they are bright white compared to everyone elses. But this may have been done to cover up the problem!

Will see if I can discuss with vendor RE getting roof inspected by a builder/roofer...