Loft conversion cracks 2 February at 6:05PM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving 16 replies 668 views

charleneann09

I'm having a loft conversion and was told it's ready for the floor to go in. I have absolutely no idea what thry have been doing up until this point as I don't really understand it.
I just went upstairs and noticed lots of cracks in the ceilings of the bedrooms. Is this normal? I'm worried it's unsafe. Especially as 2 of the cracks are above my children's beds. Do I need to move their beds?

ic

I had a conversion last summer.  We had cracks, leaks, daylight, the works.  Chances are either something has been dropped, or somebody has stood on the ceiling.  Take it up with your builder - they shouldn't be walking on the ceiling unless its either hanging from the roof above, or supported from below.  In the end due to the leaks and cracks we wound up getting all our first floor ceilings replastered at the builder's expense.

sevenhills

Or perhaps they have screwed some boarding down and the screes were too long?

Section62

charleneann09 said:

I'm having a loft conversion and was told it's ready for the floor to go in. I have absolutely no idea what thry have been doing up until this point as I don't really understand it.

Have you got Building Control involved in your project?  They would be the ones who could monitor what work is being done and whether it is being done properly.  You'd also get 'sign off' at the end so a future buyer would know everything is Ok.

Who is doing the work?  Is it a specialist loft conversion company, or a local builder?

When you purchased the property did you get any of the ceilings tested for asbestos in the Artex?

diystarter7

Hi OP
Before the LA coses, give them a call and take it from there. If a LA officer is already involved, give them a call the building regulations dept asap. They are there to try and ensure the place/work is carried out safely.

Good luck

Section62

diystarter7 said:

Before the LA coses, give them a call and take it from there. If a LA officer is already involved, give them a call the building regulations dept asap. They are there to try and ensure the place/work is carried out safely.

OP, don't do this^ before you've clarified with us on this thread what the current situation is.

Shooting from the hip and calling the local authority building control department could backfire on you, or at the very least cause problems if the loft conversion company/builders are using a private BC company.

diystarter7

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP
Before the LA coses, give them a call and take it from there. If a LA officer is already involved, give them a call the building regulations dept asap. They are there to try and ensure the place/work is carried out safely.

Good luck

Hi again OP

I've blown up the pics of the cracks

The one nearest to the edge appears to have been caused by something dropping on it. The 2nd appears to have been along the joint of the ceiling board and possibly they just stood on one oist, too much weight causing that.

Once you have established what happened - the plaster, tell them to stick it back on if no further problems as that will be the best match.

Ask if builders have contacted the council re building regs. What is the room going to be used for? Builds regs are required if using the loft as a liveable space.

Decide what is best for you and move it forward.

Btw, are the builders insured and have you checked this out if they say they are?

Btw2 - if you have a mortgage on your property, most lenders will want to know about any significant changes to the property - you may want to read the T&C's  for this lender.

Take care and good luck

diystarter7

sevenhills said:

Or perhaps they have screwed some boarding down and the screes were too long?

Hi
I doubt it but your guess is as good as anyones here.
IMO, something droped on the bit near the edge of the wall and the other, big person standing on joist - but you could be right
just as much as me.

Re the screw, as I typed the above, I'll hand it to you as I recall a builders incident in a property of ours years ago, therefore the problbilty is that you are 60% correct and me 40% but we shall see. Importantly, you do often make the right calls and from the many posts I've read from you, you are very knowldgelbe.

Thanks

diystarter7

Hi OP

The party wall has that been created and if so what material was used? Are you mid-terraced so did you need 2 party walls?

Thanks

SpudGunPaul

diystarter7 said:

diystarter7 said:

Hi OP
Before the LA coses, give them a call and take it from there. If a LA officer is already involved, give them a call the building regulations dept asap. They are there to try and ensure the place/work is carried out safely.

Good luck

Hi again OP

I've blown up the pics of the cracks

The one nearest to the edge appears to have been caused by something dropping on it. The 2nd appears to have been along the joint of the ceiling board and possibly they just stood on one oist, too much weight causing that.

Once you have established what happened - the plaster, tell them to stick it back on if no further problems as that will be the best match.

Ask if builders have contacted the council re building regs. What is the room going to be used for? Builds regs are required if using the loft as a liveable space.

Decide what is best for you and move it forward.

Btw, are the builders insured and have you checked this out if they say they are?

Btw2 - if you have a mortgage on your property, most lenders will want to know about any significant changes to the property - you may want to read the T&C's  for this lender.

Take care and good luck

How can you establish how the damage was caused by those photos?

OP ignore this poster or he’ll soon have your thread closed. 

sevenhills

diystarter7 said:

Re the screw, as I typed the above, I'll hand it to you as I recall a builders incident in a property of ours years ago, therefore the probability is that you are 60% correct and me 40% but we shall see. Importantly, you do often make the right calls and from the many posts I've read from you, you are very knowledgeable.

There are always right and wrong answers, all our answers make the OP think, only they can find out who is right.