"Andy Wade" wrote in message
...
Andy Hall wrote:

On Sat, 25 Sep 2004 18:17:14 +0100, "IMM" wrote:
he has never seen the "ladder".

????

He's referring to the 'gable ladder' construction used to provide an
overhanging verge at a gable end. This consists of several short
horizontal timber members (running parallel to the ridge on an simple
roof) nailed to the end truss, with the barge board nailed on the
outside ends. Seen before the undercloak, felt and tiles go on this
does look like a crude sort of ladder. When the gable end brickwork is
built up it surrounds the 'rungs' of the ladder and helps tie-in the end
truss to the masonry. But there should also be steel lateral restraint
straps between the inner leaf of the wall and (at least) the first two
trusses at each end (AIUI).

The lateral wood support (usually a long plank) that ties in all the trusses
usually has the steel lateral restraint nailed to it and the other end of
the right angle of the steel restraint either screwed or cemented in to the
gable end wall. The steel restraint can be quite long and go over the length
of three trusses. These steel restraints help join the gable to the roof.
They also help to keep it doiewn in high winds. Have a look around Wickes as
they have them there.

If some roofs do not have them., older roofs may not, then it is worth
fixing a number of these metal restraints and fitting them. Wind speeds in
the UK are rising and these restraints may mean the difference of your roof
lifting off or not. They also prevent an old gable wall creeping outwards if
the ground conditions change.

50 kg (only 0.5 kN) seems to me to be a pretty negligible load to hang
on a sound brick/block wall (unless you're talking about a narrow
section between window or door openings, which is hardly likely to apply
in a loft). And the weight's going to be fairly close to the wall so
the overturning moment will not be large.

Some sense at last. This bunch seem to think a gable end sits there
unconnected to anything else and is so feeble, complete with feeble
foundations, it can't hold a combi. I despair at times.