"Tim Watts" wrote in message
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On 30/05/10 16:24, John wrote:
wrote in message
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In preparation for putting a boiler in my loft I am wondering if a
particular timber is just what the builders used temporarily to support
the roofing timbers whilst building the house. The house has what I
believe is called a double hipped roof.
The timber in question is about 3/4" x 3" - it runs at a shallow angle
from the bottom of a roof member - upward to tie in with 3 others.
Anyone able to advise? Do builders use temporary bits of wood to hold
things upright whilst assembling the roof?


Maybe this link will work and clarify what I am trying to explain:

http://tinyurl.com/2w5x8kl



I'll go out on a limb here - I can't see those 2 weedy nails holding that
diagonal in are capable of resisting major shearing forces. So I *think*
that you are right and it was a building aid rather than an integral part
of the structure.

Why is there such a large gap between those middle rafters? Without seeing
the rest of the roof, what is there about the construction that would
resist the roof folding flat, if that diagonal were important?

If you are concerned, you could screw that timber across the bottoms of
the rafters right next to the braces and put in several short diagonal
braces between the braces so they are not so obstructive which should add
general stiffness to the assembly.

Some more photos of the rest of the roof could be useful.

--
Tim Watts

Hung parliament? Rather have a hanged parliament.


Tim - I have added some more photos - some looking up at the short ridge.
The large gap aligns with the loft hatch and ceiling support timbers.
There are 5 timbers supporting the ridge.