Bridgend · Mid Glamorgan
Roof structure repairs in Bridgend
Before buying or re-roofing a house in Bridgend, 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£275per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- CF31, CF35
- Population
- about 50,000
- Area
- Mid Glamorgan
- Pricing region
- Wales
Is Mid Glamorgan prone to ground movement?
Bridgend is in Mid Glamorgan and takes in postcode districts CF31, CF35. About 50,000 people live there. If you are just outside Bridgend, we also cover Porthcawl (6 miles), Llantwit Major (8 miles) and Maesteg (8 miles).
Mid Glamorgan has a mix of ground, with clay in some places and firmer rock in others. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Mid Glamorgan, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Typical buildings in Mid Glamorgan: Long stone and brick terraces on valley sides, Victorian houses in Bridgend and post-war estates.
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.
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.
What to look for before calling about roof structure repairs
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
- Top of an outside wall leaning out at eaves level
- Roof slope looking hollow or wavy between the ridge and the gutter
Roof structure repairs prices in Bridgend
Prices in Bridgend are worked out on Wales rates. They include VAT and are a starting point: access, the extent of the damage and whether an engineer or building control is involved all move the figure.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing or doubling a rafter | £275 – £550 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,100 – £2,750 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £735 – £2,300 | per roof |
How we usually approach roof structure repairs
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
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 Wales
In Wales, the Welsh version of the Building Regulations applies. Underpinning and other work that alters or strengthens the structure needs building control approval and inspection; like-for-like repairs often do not. The Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies to work on party walls and excavation close to a neighbour’s foundations.
Questions about roof structure repairs in Bridgend
How much should I budget for roof structure repairs in Bridgend?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Bridgend start from about £275 per rafter, including VAT, on Wales 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 Bridgend?
We do. Bridgend and the surrounding area are covered, including nearby Porthcawl and Llantwit Major. A free initial assessment from your photos is the first step.
Why do houses in Mid Glamorgan crack?
Mid Glamorgan lies on the South Wales coalfield, with dense historic workings, spoil tips and steep valley sides. Landslip, retaining walls and mining legacy are all live issues in the valleys. 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.
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.
Related work in Bridgend
- Wall tie replacement
- Underpinning
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Bowing wall repairs
- Structural crack repairs
Roof structure repairs near Bridgend
Send photos of the roof from the street and the loft timbers at your Bridgend property for a free initial assessment and a no-obligation written quote.