Structure of roof compromised?

cheif kaiser

Would really appreciate if someone could advise the purpose of the marked strut/brace in the attached picture.

This strut/brace used to sit on top of a wall underneath, however, this wall was recently removed by my builder at my request but on his insistence that the wall was in no way structural. However having just been up into the attic I noticed this brace is no longer supported as it once was and am now really worried.

Any advice appreciated!

Archibald_SM

Is there a concrete lintel underneath this timber member? Was this strut previously supported by a block wall or by a timber frame with plaster board/plaster and paint finish.

cheif kaiser

Not that I am aware of. I'm almost sure it sits on top of a joist but that's it. It was previously supported by a door frame with concrete running across the top of it.

Bonzo Delaney

It depends on how it is fixed to the rafter and joist
With the pic I cant see if its attached to the purlin
( the big 9x3timber) probably not though
If its nailed to the side of the joist and the side of the rafter its more than likely a hanger which means by triangulation it stops the joists sagging where the purlin keeps the rafters from sagging
So I reckon your safe enough
BUT without the floor removed and a load more pics of all the timber connections at the hanger and pics of below the joists before and after works were carried out I couldn't be positive.

red sean

From what I can make it's just a hanger. Nothing to worry about!

Calahonda52

Bonzo Delaney wrote: »

It depends on how it is fixed to the rafter and joist
With the pic I cant see if its attached to the purlin
( the big 9x3timber) probably not though
If its nailed to the side of the joist and the side of the rafter its more than likely a hanger which means by triangulation it stops the joists sagging where the purlin keeps the rafters from sagging
So I reckon your safe enough
BUT without the floor removed and a load more pics of all the timber connections at the hanger and pics of below the joists before and after works were carried out I couldn't be positive.

Op: not possible to advise without more intel/fotos
as we need to see how it is fixed beyond the purlin and also what function the other two uprights in the picture are doing
Am guessing its a hip roof to the left so maybe the uprights are there to mark the change in the roof profile

take a picture longways in each direction and show how the 3 uprights are fixed to the purlin/rafters/ridge board

link may help
https://www.nachi.org/roof-framing-part1-2.htm