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Roofing

Felt/lining on the underside of rafters - risk of rafters rotting?

Anonymous user 28/02/2024 - 3.13 PM

I am in the process of buying a house built in 1925. The survey came back with some issues with the roof. The survey didn't tackle this issue but basically the current owner fitted/attached lining to the underside of the rafters. Now I get that this will protect the loft floor from rain etc but with nothing above this between the tiles and rafters (where I assume lining would be on a modern property) surely there is a risk of the rafters rotting if there is a slipped tile or two and a bit of rain gets through? Am I overthinking this or should I get the whole roof fitted with lining between the tiles and rafters?

Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?

4 Answers

AP Property Services Roofing Specialists

Rating: 5 out of 5

Woking

Hello would cut away the lining to see the condition of battens and sometimes something his hidden for a reason would be good to get a roofer as we have started to look at property's before purchase as surveyors are not finding the real problems and when you move in it's too late get it looked at first before you buy at least if you get a quote you can try and reduce price for the work kind regards aspowell

Answered11 May 2015

T Davies & Son Roofing

Rating: 5 out of 5

Middlesbrough

Hi Jim, Whats currently on the roof? Im assuming its slate? With any old slate roof, there is no membrane under 'older' slated roofs. The membrane used inside the loft wont be water tight? If the slated roof is in good order you could always get the slates taken off, recovered using a breathable membrane and re-slated? this would be the cheaper option for you and will also keep the character of the building. You will also find, if you went for this option, that you will save a lot of money on heating bills. I hope this has been of some assistance to you. Regards M Davies

Answered11 May 2015

ADR Property Maintenance

Rating: 5 out of 5

Boston

come across this a few times its generally done because at some point their has been an issue, sorry their is no easy answer the roof is nearly 90 and most probably getting to the end of its life would be getting a roofer round to check it out prior to buying, whilst their may not be an issue if the timbers have rotted this will be a large expense, depending on the condition of the slate you maybe able to re-use some of them keeping the cost down a little , good luck Alex

Answered12 May 2015

Anonymous user

The lining is a secondary backup, nothing should be placed inbetween should water creep in it will flow down the lining and if fitted correctly to the outside if attached to underside of rafter then should be crossflow ventilation

Answered12 May 2015