Wilmslow · Cheshire
Roof structure repairs in Wilmslow
Before buying or re-roofing a house in Wilmslow, it is worth knowing whether the frame can carry its covering. Send photos of the loft and the ridge, and we will tell you whether the timbers look adequate or need strengthening.
Guide price from£290per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- M90, SK9
- Population
- about 26,000
- Area
- Cheshire
- Pricing region
- North West
What is the ground like in Cheshire?
Postcode districts M90, SK9 cover Wilmslow, a Cheshire town of about 26,000 people. If you are just outside Wilmslow, we also cover Cheadle Hulme (4 miles), Altrincham (6 miles) and Macclesfield (6 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Cheshire. Historic brine and salt working has caused ground movement in parts of Cheshire in the past. Typical buildings in Cheshire: Brick terraces in Crewe, Northwich and Warrington, Victorian villas in Chester, and inter-war and post-war semis.
Roof structure repairs prices in Wilmslow
For Wilmslow we use North West rates. Treat the table as a budget guide, inc VAT; the price you pay is the one on your written quote.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing or doubling a rafter | £290 – £575 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,150 – £2,900 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £770 – £2,400 | per roof |
How we usually approach roof structure repairs
Repairing or doubling rafters
Cracked, sagging or rotten rafters are strengthened by fixing a new timber alongside, often called doubling, and rotten rafter feet are cut back and spliced. The work is usually done from inside the loft with the tiles left in place, unless the covering is coming off anyway.
Best for: Individual rafters that have cracked, sagged or rotted at the feet
Tying in roof spread
New ties, collars or steel straps connect opposite rafters, or fix the rafter feet and wall plate firmly to the ceiling joists, so the outward thrust is resisted. Leaning wall heads are strapped back to the roof, and a badly spread roof may need partly rebuilding first.
Best for: Walls pushed out at eaves level by spreading rafters
What happens during roof structure repairs, step by step?
Loft and outside survey
On site we check rafter sizes and spacing, purlins, struts, ties and wall plates, look for rot and past alterations, and measure any lean at the wall head. The covering is noted too, because its weight affects the repair.
Engineer’s design where needed
Where purlins, struts or ties must be redesigned, or the roof carries a heavier covering, an independent chartered structural engineer is appointed to specify the work. We can arrange this, and their design sets the sizes and fixings.
Prop, strengthen and tie
The roof is propped where members are being changed, then rafters, purlins, struts and ties are repaired or added as specified. Coverings disturbed by the work are relaid, and building control inspects where the work needs it.
What to look for before calling about roof structure repairs
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
Rules for roof structure repairs in England
In England, underpinning and other work that alters or strengthens a wall or foundation is building work under the Building Regulations (Part A, structure), so building control approves and inspects it. Like-for-like repairs often are not, and we tell you which applies before a price is agreed. Work to a party wall, or excavation close to a neighbour’s foundations, can also need a notice under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
Questions about roof structure repairs in Wilmslow
How much should I budget for roof structure repairs in Wilmslow?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Wilmslow start from about £290 per rafter, including VAT, on North West rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Can you survey a property in Wilmslow?
Yes, Wilmslow is covered, along with postcode districts M90, SK9. We also cover nearby Cheadle Hulme and Altrincham.
Why do houses in Cheshire crack?
Most of Cheshire is glacial till over Mercia Mudstone. Around Northwich and the Weaver valley, historic salt and brine extraction has caused subsidence in the past, and a separate brine subsidence compensation scheme exists for parts of the county. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Is a sagging roof ridge dangerous?
A slight, even dip in an old roof is often historic movement that stopped long ago. A sag that is getting worse, cracking timbers, walls pushing out at the eaves or recently removed struts should be checked soon. Avoid storing heavy items in the loft until then.
Can heavy concrete tiles damage a roof?
Yes, if the frame was designed for lighter slate or tiles and was not strengthened. The extra weight makes rafters and purlins sag and can bring on roof spread. Before re-roofing in a heavier material, have the structure checked and notify building control.
Related work in Wilmslow
- Underpinning
- Retaining wall repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
Roof structure repairs near Wilmslow
If struts were removed for a loft room in Wilmslow, send photos of the space and we will price putting a proper load path back.