Leamington Spa · Warwickshire
Roof structure repairs in Leamington Spa
Roofs in Leamington Spa that were re-covered with heavier concrete tiles, or had struts cut out for a loft room, often start to sag years later. Spotting which change caused the movement is the first step to a repair that holds.
Guide price from£300per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- CV31, CV32
- Population
- about 51,000
- Area
- Warwickshire
- Pricing region
- West Midlands
Is Warwickshire prone to ground movement?
Postcode districts CV31, CV32 cover Leamington Spa, a Warwickshire town of about 51,000 people. Neighbouring towns we cover: Warwick (3 miles), Kenilworth (5 miles) and Coventry (8 miles).
Warwickshire has a mix of ground, with clay in some places and firmer rock in others. Parts of Warwickshire lie on a former coalfield, so a coal mining search is worth checking if movement has no obvious cause. What you mostly find across Warwickshire: Regency houses in Leamington Spa, timber-framed buildings in Stratford and Warwick, and brick terraces and estates in the north.
How we usually approach 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
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 during roof structure repairs, step by step?
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.
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
- Horizontal cracks in the wall just below the eaves or ceiling line
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
Roof structure repairs prices in Leamington Spa
Prices in Leamington Spa 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 |
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 Leamington Spa
What is the price of roof structure repairs in Leamington Spa?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Leamington Spa 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 carry out roof structure repairs in Leamington Spa?
Yes, Leamington Spa is covered, along with postcode districts CV31, CV32. We also cover nearby Warwick and Kenilworth.
Does the ground around Leamington Spa cause cracking?
Much of Warwickshire is Mercia Mudstone and Lias clay, with the Warwickshire coalfield under Nuneaton and Bedworth in the north. Clay soils near trees can shrink in dry summers. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
Can the roof be strengthened without removing the tiles?
In most cases, yes. Doubling rafters, adding struts and fitting ties can all be done from inside the loft with the coverings in place. Tiles usually only come off where timber near the eaves is badly decayed, or the roof is being re-covered anyway.
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.
More repairs we carry out in Leamington Spa
Roof structure repairs near Leamington Spa
Get a free initial assessment of a sagging or spreading roof in Leamington Spa from your photos or a call, and find out whether an engineer is needed.