Cracked beam in roof

[gaz1]

its an elongated spliting crack on the beam as i can see by the pic provided so fitting the filtch steels is going to be difficult

already asked if theres any supporting walls that could be used the op says no so any support is going to be from the ground floor by use of an acrow

 

[mike os]

Measure it and check in a couple of months ... it's unlikely to collapse unless the crack is really long

If it's opening we can address remediation then

 

[pedrobedro]

There's plenty left above the split and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere so I'd tend to leave it and just keep an eye on it. Is the upright behind fastened to the purlin and the one below it ?

 

[brightspark]

i wouldnt loose sleep over it just look in 6 month time see if its moved. most beams spread or sag after drying out fully

 

[brightspark]

Easiest option is to look at the roof line.

look at most houses and the roofs sag looks even worse if the roofs extended and strait

 

[Welderpaul]

filtch

That's something very different

 

[carbonarc]

Hi Anguz. The image you have provided does not show any bending distress to the purlin and the rafters look capable of supporting the roofing. In your position I would not carryout any type of repair or addition to the area of defect. If you consider that overtime conditions show further structural damage is happening your property insurers must be informed so they can assess circumstances within the terms of your policy. In my mind everything looks OK.

 

[Barking Mat]

Check it with a straight edge, keep an eye on it, or basically ignore it, check it in a year or two.

Don't sweat.

 

[voipio]

It might be worth marking the extent of the split, taking a close up photo, and having a look at it again in, say, six months, as others have suggested. In your favour, it doesn't look recent. The crack looks as if it might line up with the grain near the right hand side of the image in the original posting, suggesting that the timber may have been cut from a wonky tree in the first place.

 

[sako243]

older days it was different it was more beams fitted over a set amount of meterage weve lost that affect nowdays its double up the beams when its really not needed

Not just that. At least down here in the old days they sized the beams based on the weight of the slates. They seasoned and knew the size of the beams to let them sag just enough under the weight of the slates. This had the effect of locking all the slates together.

My parents office building has a single A frame in the middle of a 20m span there's two symmetrical dips in the roof. They've never lost a slate and the roof's been on for about a hundred years despite being regularly hit by 100+mph winds.

 

[gaz1]

this buildings old and probably sized in the same way but as a floor itself

it has 2 large beams with 3x3 joists there not 4x4s holding the floorboards up

 

[Screwdriver]

If it was me I'd be looking closely at my buildings insurance and see if it covers the cost of a survey. Especially if this beam is shared with a neighbour - you probably shouldn't mess with it..

It should be looked at by a professional if only to put your mind at rest. It's probably nothing to worry about but you should get a professional to tell you that (or advise on remedial action).

 

[roofman]

TBH i have seen a lot worse that's been the same for years.

 

[dave h 2]

My lads roof had a cracked beam like that 10 years ago lots of PVA down the crack and G cramps fixed it. no more creaking when the wind blew. Since had photovoltaics added and it's still good.