Sunderland · Tyne and Wear
Roof structure repairs in Sunderland
Roof structure repairs in Sunderland are often done entirely from inside the loft, with the tiles left in place. Doubling rafters, adding struts and fitting ties rarely needs the coverings off unless decay at the eaves is severe.
Guide price from£275per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- SR1, SR2, SR9
- Population
- about 170,000
- Area
- Tyne and Wear
- Pricing region
- North East
How do local ground conditions affect roof structure repairs in Sunderland?
We cover Sunderland and its postcode districts SR1, SR2, SR9, part of Tyne and Wear, with a population of roughly 170,000. We also take enquiries from nearby Seaham (5 miles), Washington (5 miles) and Houghton-le-Spring (6 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of Tyne and Wear. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of Tyne and Wear, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Typical buildings in Tyne and Wear: Tyneside flats and terraces, Victorian villas, inter-war council estates and post-war semis.
Signs you may need roof structure repairs
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
How much will roof structure repairs cost in Sunderland?
The ranges below reflect typical North East 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 | £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 |
Which repair method suits a home in Sunderland?
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
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
What happens when we carry out roof structure repairs in Sunderland?
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 Sunderland: questions and answers
What is the price of roof structure repairs in Sunderland?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Sunderland start from about £275 per rafter, including VAT, on North East rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you carry out roof structure repairs in Sunderland?
Yes, Sunderland is covered, along with postcode districts SR1, SR2, SR9. We also cover nearby Seaham and Washington.
Does the ground around Sunderland cause cracking?
Tyne and Wear lies on the Durham and Northumberland coalfield, with old shallow workings recorded beneath parts of Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland, mostly under a cover of 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.
Do roof structure repairs need building control?
Usually yes, where the structure is strengthened or altered, or the covering becomes significantly heavier. In England and Wales that falls under Part A, in Scotland it generally needs a building warrant, and in Northern Ireland council building control approves it. We deal with building control where the work needs it.
More repairs we carry out in Sunderland
- Structural crack repairs
- Chimney stack repairs
- Retaining wall repairs
- Concrete repairs
- Bay window subsidence repairs
Roof structure repairs near Sunderland
Send photos of the roof from the street and the loft timbers at your Sunderland property for a free initial assessment and a no-obligation written quote.