Accrington · Lancashire
Roof structure repairs in Accrington
Before buying or re-roofing a house in Accrington, 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
- BB5, BB6
- Population
- about 35,000
- Area
- Lancashire
- Pricing region
- North West
What should you know about the ground under Accrington?
Accrington (BB5, BB6) has around 35,000 residents and sits in Lancashire. If you are just outside Accrington, we also cover Rawtenstall (5 miles), Blackburn (5 miles) and Darwen (6 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Lancashire. Parts of Lancashire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Typical buildings in Lancashire: Stone and brick mill terraces, seaside villas in Blackpool and Lytham, and inter-war and post-war semis.
What happens during roof structure repairs, step by step?
Send photos
Photograph the roof from across the street, both slopes if you can, and the loft timbers with a torch. Include the eaves and any cracks just below them. From these we can usually tell sag from spread and whether an engineer is needed.
Written quote
You receive a no-obligation written quote listing each timber repair, any ties or straps, propping, scaffolding and making good. Once the repair is specified, the figure becomes a fixed price in writing.
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
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
- Roof slope looking hollow or wavy between the ridge and the gutter
Roof structure repairs prices in Accrington
The ranges below reflect typical North West costs for roof structure repairs, including VAT. Scaffold, access and making good can push a job to the top of the range.
| 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
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 Accrington
How much should I budget for roof structure repairs in Accrington?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Accrington 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 Accrington?
We do. Accrington and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Rawtenstall and Blackburn. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Why do houses in Lancashire crack?
Lancashire is mostly glacial till over sandstone and mudstone, with the Burnley and Accrington coalfield in the east and soft coastal and estuarine ground on the Fylde. Old mill and mine sites leave made ground in many towns. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
What is roof spread?
Roof spread is when the feet of the rafters move outward because nothing is tying them together firmly enough. As they spread, the ridge drops and the tops of the walls are pushed out, often with a horizontal crack below the eaves. It is fixed by adding ties, collars or straps, sometimes with rebuilding.
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.
Related work in Accrington
- Lintel replacement
- Bowing wall repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Floor joist repairs
- Concrete repairs
Roof structure repairs near Accrington
Send photos of the roof from the street and the loft timbers at your Accrington property for a free initial assessment and a no-obligation written quote.