Burntwood · Staffordshire
Roof structure repairs in Burntwood
Many older roofs, in Burntwood and across Staffordshire alike, were built with slim purlins and few ties. A little historic movement is normal, so we check whether the roof is still moving before recommending how far the strengthening needs to go.
Guide price from£300per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- WS7
- Population
- about 29,000
- Area
- Staffordshire
- Pricing region
- West Midlands
Is Staffordshire prone to ground movement?
Burntwood is in Staffordshire and takes in postcode districts WS7. About 29,000 people live there. Neighbouring towns we cover: Great Wyrley (4 miles), Lichfield (4 miles) and Cannock (4 miles).
Parts of Staffordshire have clay that can shrink near trees in dry spells. Parts of Staffordshire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. Housing stock in Staffordshire: Potteries terraces, brick villas, inter-war semis and post-war estates.
From first photo to finished repair
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.
Symptoms that point to roof structure repairs
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
- Top of an outside wall leaning out at eaves level
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Burntwood
Prices in Burntwood are worked out on West Midlands 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 | £300 – £600 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,200 – £3,000 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £800 – £2,500 | per roof |
Methods for roof structure repairs
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
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
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.
Frequently asked questions
How much will roof structure repairs cost in Burntwood?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Burntwood start from about £300 per rafter, including VAT, on West Midlands rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Burntwood?
Yes. We take enquiries from across Burntwood, including WS7, and from nearby places such as Great Wyrley and Lichfield. Send photos for a free initial view and we will tell you what happens next.
Is the ground in Staffordshire prone to subsidence?
North Staffordshire around Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme and Kidsgrove, and the Cannock Chase area, lie on coalfields with recorded workings. Much of the rest of the county is Mercia Mudstone and glacial clay. 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 Burntwood
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Gable end wall repairs
- Structural surveys and crack monitoring
- Boundary and garden wall repairs
- Extension pulling away repairs
Roof structure repairs near Burntwood
Seen the ridge dip at your Burntwood home? Photograph it from across the road, add a few loft shots, and we will tell you what it likely needs.