Hertford · Hertfordshire
Roof structure repairs in Hertford
A dipping ridge or a wavy roof slope in Hertford is usually a timber problem, not a tile problem. We look at the rafters, purlins, struts and ties from the loft, and at the wall heads from outside, before suggesting how to strengthen it.
Guide price from£315per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- SG13, SG14
- Population
- about 26,000
- Area
- Hertfordshire
- Pricing region
- East of England
How do local ground conditions affect roof structure repairs in Hertford?
Hertford is in Hertfordshire and takes in postcode districts SG13, SG14. About 26,000 people live there. Nearby places we cover include Ware (2 miles), Hoddesdon (4 miles) and Welwyn Garden City (6 miles).
Shrinkable clay is widespread in Hertfordshire. Ground movement here is more often linked to soils, drains and trees than to mining. What you mostly find across Hertfordshire: garden-city houses in Letchworth and Welwyn, 1930s semis, Victorian terraces and post-war new-town estates.
Signs you may need roof structure repairs
- Roof slope looking hollow or wavy between the ridge and the gutter
- Horizontal cracks in the wall just below the eaves or ceiling line
- Top of an outside wall leaning out at eaves level
How much will roof structure repairs cost in Hertford?
Guide prices below are for homes in Hertford, on East of England rates and including VAT. A survey or good photos let us turn them into a fixed written price.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing or doubling a rafter | £315 – £630 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,250 – £3,150 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £840 – £2,600 | per roof |
Which repair method suits a home in Hertford?
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
Wall plate replacement
Rotten or crushed wall plates are replaced in short lengths while the rafters above are propped, and bedded on the wall in mortar. The plate is then strapped down to the masonry. It is often combined with rafter foot splices along the same run.
Best for: Rot along the eaves where rafters bear on the wall
What happens when we carry out roof structure repairs in Hertford?
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.
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.
Roof structure repairs in Hertford: questions and answers
How much will roof structure repairs cost in Hertford?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Hertford start from about £315 per rafter, including VAT, on East of England rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Hertford?
Yes, Hertford is covered, along with postcode districts SG13, SG14. We also cover nearby Ware and Hoddesdon.
Is the ground in Hertfordshire prone to subsidence?
South Hertfordshire around Watford, Borehamwood and Potters Bar is London Clay, while the north and west are chalk with clay-with-flints and the east has boulder clay. The clay areas are prone to seasonal subsidence near trees. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Do I need a structural engineer for roof repairs?
For like-for-like repairs to a few rafters, often not. Where purlins, struts or ties are being redesigned, the covering is getting heavier or the walls are being pushed out, you usually do. Where the repair needs an engineer’s design or sign-off, an independent chartered structural engineer is appointed, and we can arrange this.
Why are there cracks just below the eaves?
A horizontal crack just below the eaves, along the front or back wall, is a common sign of roof spread. The rafters push the top of the wall outward and the masonry cracks where it hinges. Corroded wall ties can cause similar cracks, so the cause needs checking.
Other structural repairs in Hertford
- Chimney stack repairs
- Subsidence repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Crack stitching
- Floor joist repairs
Roof structure repairs near Hertford
For a guide price on roof structure repairs in Hertford, try the quote tool or send photos of the ridge, the loft and the eaves.