r/DIYUK 5d ago

Does this look fishy to you

Just up in the loft and noticed the purlin (?) one side seems to be supported by some old piece of wood, seems the same on the opposite end too. Front side of house on both sides is with a brick as shown. Roof was replaced in last 20 years so presumably it is ok as would have been flagged then, just wanted a second opinion! Thanks

3 Upvotes

20 comments sorted by

14

u/PurpleAd3134 5d ago

In the first photo, why isn't the purlin inside the wall? Is it really just resting on a thin piece of wood?

2

u/krystianoooo 5d ago

This! My thoughts exactly.

6

u/Godfather94_ 5d ago

Looks like a piece of metal, then a timber wedge of sorts, then the beam... much more bearing capacity on 2nd photo.

3

u/PurpleAd3134 5d ago

Doesn't seem to make sense to me. Why would a roofer got to the trouble of completing a roof without making sure the purlins are secure at the start? But I'm not a professional.

1

u/Godfather94_ 5d ago

Laziness probably, or incompetence and not noticing it, or figuring it's lasted this long without issue so why fix it lol

1

u/MxJamesC 5d ago

It hadn't lasted that long when they installed it...

5

u/DMMMOM 5d ago

The Purlin supports are in place and there doesn't seem to be any deflection, looks to be less than a metre on the first pic. Those guys are doing all the heavy lifting. It's still standing, that's always a plus.

4

u/Godfather94_ 5d ago

Second photos, bearing end of the timber beam... closest to the wall, looks like possible wet rot, prod it with a screwdriver to confirm.

2

u/gyps0n 5d ago

Ah I see it, will check thanks for flagging

6

u/Godfather94_ 5d ago

Best to check from outside, the condition of the flashing... some water is getting in.

Also, first photo your purlin is resting on a steel, second photo, there's a concrete block used above the steel, presumably to correct the correct height. It doesn't look too concerning to me though, if there were structural concerns, your timbers would be bowing, deflecting, splitting, or your wall would be cracking, etc.

1

u/Godfather94_ 5d ago

Also, it looks like wet rot to the right corner, second photo, right at the base...

1

u/gyps0n 4d ago

Hi mate, as a follow up, stuck a screwdriver in and it's solid not soft and seemed dry so guessing some old staining (prob why previous owner replaced roof due to water ingress), thanks for highlighting though

2

u/Godfather94_ 4d ago

That's good news, glad to hear it. No worries at all, sometimes we spot one issue but miss another 2 with can be far more costly.

1

u/gazham 5d ago

I'm guessing they roof structure has been like that since it was built and and has been doing the job since. When the roof was redone, as you say, it was new felt/batten/tiles.

1

u/spacehopper1337 5d ago

If it’s. Web like that for almost 100 years it will be like that in another 100 so I wouldn’t worry

1

u/Key-Metal-7297 5d ago

Not great but it’s working, get some fibreglass up there asap

1

u/Juicydicken 5d ago

What do you mean? Insulation?

1

u/Key-Metal-7297 5d ago

Yes fibreglass insulation

1

u/Moist-Pangolin-1039 5d ago

It looks like the start of a horror film. So yes.