[Sparky51]

Hi. I'm new to this and I'm looking for some advice. Obviously I'm unable to get a professional in to look at it with this virus, so I was wondering if anyone on here can help.

I'd like to know if the collar ties in the pictures posted can be moved higher to allow me to convert my loft space into a room

They are currently just above waist height

 

[Nealtw]

Hi. I'm new to this and I'm looking for some advice. Obviously I'm unable to get a professional in to look at it with this virus, so I was wondering if anyone on here can help.

I'd like to know if the collar ties in the pictures posted can be moved higher to allow me to convert my loft space into a room

They are currently just above waist height

Collar ties can be anywhere in the top third of the space.

 

[3onthetree]

Collar ties can also be metal straps over the top of the ridge sheathing.
Probably more info needed in case those are midpoint rafter ties, or the rafters do not connect to the floor joists (you termed it "loft?")

 

[House Designer]

It is not clear from your pictures whether the house has rafter ties. If it does not, then I would not move those collar ties for fear of collapse.

 

[Sparky51]

Hi

Thanks for the replies.

I was under the impression that they were collar ties but I only came to that conclusion after browsing the internet.

My roof space is almost an L shape and I only have these ties that, as I said, are just over waist height.

The ceiling joists then these ties. That's all

 

[ron45]

If that's real brick you are already in code violation.

The rafters are not suppose to be anchored directly to brick just as a deck is not.

 

[Sparky51]

Hi.

I've not actually done any work my attic space yet. It's the original lay out and the house is around 60 years old.

 

[Sparky51]

Sorry.
The brick you see is the gable end of the house

 

[House Designer]

The typical safe way to move or remove your rafter ties altogether is to install a structural ridge beam. It is a difficult, invasive job and the labor could be rather expensive. Depending on its span, it could be as large as a doubled 14" or 16" LVL.

 

[Nealtw]

The typical safe way to move or remove your rafter ties altogether is to install a structural ridge beam. It is a difficult, invasive job and the labor could be rather expensive. Depending on its span, it could be as large as a doubled 14" or 16" LVL.

They are collar ties . :wink2:

 

[House Designer]

They are collar ties . :wink2:

I think they are mislocated collar ties (located too low) or mislocated rafter ties (located too high.) They appear to be the only functional wall ties, in that if they are removed, the roof will soon collapse under load.

 

[Nealtw]

I think they are mislocated collar ties (located too low) or mislocated rafter ties (located too high.) They appear to be the only functional wall ties, in that if they are removed, the roof will soon collapse under load.

I think we can agree more information is needed.


Explain these. :wink2: neither??

 

[House Designer]

I think we can agree more information is needed.


Explain these. :wink2: neither??

Here's my explanation:
I'd say that those collar ties were installed by a carpenter who clearly didn't know what he were doing. ESPECIALLY the ties that are running perpendicular to the rafters! In addition, the perpendicular members all dead end into a single joist that is now quite overloaded.
The carpenter must have sniffed a little too much construction adhesive when he framed this one.:smile: