Mountain Ash · Mid Glamorgan
Roof structure repairs in Mountain Ash
A dipping ridge or a wavy roof slope in Mountain Ash 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£275per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- CF45
- Population
- about 11,000
- Area
- Mid Glamorgan
- Pricing region
- Wales
What should you know about the ground under Mountain Ash?
Mountain Ash, Mid Glamorgan: about 11,000 residents across postcode districts CF45. If you are just outside Mountain Ash, we also cover Rhondda (3 miles), Aberdare (4 miles) and Merthyr Tydfil (4 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Mid Glamorgan. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Mid Glamorgan, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. What you mostly find across Mid Glamorgan: long stone and brick terraces on valley sides, Victorian houses in Bridgend and post-war estates.
Repair options we may recommend
Purlin and strut strengthening
Undersized purlins are strengthened with extra timber or replaced, and new struts are taken down to a load-bearing wall. Where there is no suitable wall, an engineer designs the load path. Temporary props hold the roof while members are changed.
Best for: Sagging slopes, slim purlins and struts removed from the loft
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 to expect when we carry out roof structure repairs
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.
Is it time for roof structure repairs? Common signs
- Horizontal cracks in the wall just below the eaves or ceiling line
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
- Roof slope looking hollow or wavy between the ridge and the gutter
What should you budget for roof structure repairs in Mountain Ash?
These are guide prices for Mountain Ash, using Wales rates and including VAT. Your written quote follows photos or a survey, and is fixed once the repair is specified.
| 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 |
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.
Your roof structure repairs questions
How much will roof structure repairs cost in Mountain Ash?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Mountain Ash 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.
Do you cover Mountain Ash?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Mountain Ash, including CF45, and from nearby places such as Rhondda and Aberdare. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Is the ground in Mid Glamorgan prone to subsidence?
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.
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.
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.
Other structural repairs in Mountain Ash
- Mining subsidence repairs
- Structural crack repairs
- Retaining wall repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Concrete repairs
Roof structure repairs near Mountain Ash
Send photos of the roof from the street and the loft timbers at your Mountain Ash property for a free initial assessment and a no-obligation written quote.