"RichardS" noaccess@invalid wrote in message


What puzzles me is why the joists have sagged I thought that ceiling
joists would normally be in tension - keeping the rafters from spreading and
maintaining the integrety of the walls.

I don't think they have sagged. The level is not very long and the house
is old. Rough sawn timber will shrivel a little between the knots. (I
bet the high spots are a metre apart -just the length to throw that
level out. Try a sting line underneath, right along them.)

Armed with this info I don't see any reason why a competent DIYer following
proper practise for the work couldn't tackle the job...

Me too neither.

The joists are classically marked by laths used with lime mortar and
that was the problem. They had come away from the grounds.

The purlins are 7 or 8 by 2 1/2s or 3's and will relocate the stresses
very well when you shift the joists. You can reuse them.

Put battens along each edge to take the plasterboard. Make sure that
they are exactly 400 or 600 gaps so that you can use the boards
economically.

Put rockwool above each as you go.

Don't forget to make a loft hatch.

Put 1" ply under the purlins along the rafters tight up against
everything and

Use longish ring nails or screws and tight fitted fillets top and
bottom.

When you have finished; remember to clean, sand and paint or stain them
all before you start.



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