Horsforth · West Yorkshire
Roof structure repairs in Horsforth
A dipping ridge or a wavy roof slope in Horsforth 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£285per rafter inc VAT
- Postcodes
- LS16, LS18, LS19
- Population
- about 19,000
- Area
- West Yorkshire
- Pricing region
- Yorkshire and the Humber
What should you know about the ground under Horsforth?
Postcode districts LS16, LS18, LS19 cover Horsforth, a West Yorkshire town of about 19,000 people. If you are just outside Horsforth, we also cover Yeadon (3 miles), Pudsey (3 miles) and Leeds (5 miles).
Clay soils are found in parts of West Yorkshire. Historic coal workings are recorded beneath parts of West Yorkshire, and a coal mining search is worth checking where movement is unexplained. Across West Yorkshire, most homes are stone back-to-backs and terraces, mill housing, Victorian villas and post-war estates.
What to expect when we carry out roof structure repairs
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.
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.
Is it time for roof structure repairs? Common signs
- Ridge line dipping in the middle when seen from the street
- Daylight through the tiles, or timber that is damp, stained or crumbling
- Struts, collars or ties cut out or missing in the loft
What should you budget for roof structure repairs in Horsforth?
For Horsforth we use Yorkshire and the Humber rates. Treat the table as a budget guide, inc VAT; the price you pay is the one on your written quote.
| Item | Guide price | Per |
|---|---|---|
| Repairing or doubling a rafter | £285 – £570 | per rafter |
| Purlin and strut strengthening | £1,150 – £2,850 | per roof |
| Tying in roof spread (straps and ties)est. | £760 – £2,400 | per roof |
Repair options we may recommend
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
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
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.
Your roof structure repairs questions
How much will roof structure repairs cost in Horsforth?
Guide prices for roof structure repairs in Horsforth start from about £285 per rafter, including VAT, on Yorkshire and the Humber rates. Your fixed written price follows photos or a survey and depends on the extent of the work and access.
Do you cover Horsforth?
Yes, Horsforth is covered, along with postcode districts LS16, LS18, LS19. We also cover nearby Yeadon and Pudsey.
Is the ground in West Yorkshire prone to subsidence?
West Yorkshire lies largely on the Coal Measures, with shallow historic workings around Leeds, Wakefield and Kirklees, and gritstone hills to the west. Steep sites mean retaining walls are common. Only an investigation can say why a particular building has moved.
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.
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 Horsforth
- Bay window subsidence repairs
- Brick arch repairs
- Floor joist repairs
- Subsidence insurance claim repairs
- Subsidence repairs
Roof structure repairs near Horsforth
Get a free initial assessment of a sagging or spreading roof in Horsforth from your photos or a call, and find out whether an engineer is needed.