Ceiling Joists Removed

Question

Hi. We recently had insulation done in a small extension that has a small apex roof. The man doing all the work for us, advised us that we could heighten our internal ceiling by removing the ceiling joists before putting the insulation in. We had a back and forth about safety and he said cause it’s a small roof, there wouldn’t be too much weight on it. It’s about twenty five square metres of a space. 
He said that he could cut out blocks of wood and screw them in between each rafter so that each rafter was connected to another one with a small block of wood between them, but no collars or joists. 
Insulation went in, plastering completed and now about 4 months later, large hairline cracks are appearing in various spots on the roof, one side to the other. Got worse after a storm. 
Were we played for fools by listening to him? And will it eventually collapse or spread so much that it cracks much worse?

Ryan · Accepted Answer

Hi pal. 25 sq meters pitched roof without joists should be fine if done properly. It sounds to me that it isn't strong enough therefore there's slight movement making the plaster crack.

Jon · Answer

Get a structural engineer to look only way to be sure or a second opinion as you’d need a certificate if you want to sell at any point

Nick · Answer

Hi. Something is definitely moving to cause cracks in relatively new plaster. If the roof is not built correctly or the timber is the wrong size or spec you will always face cracking 
It could also be caused by structural movement

Darshan · Answer

With fresh plastering done there is a likelyhood of cracking especially it's done directly onto wood, but the fact you've got cracks it does need a qualified builder or at least s second opinion to check if the work in the roof space has been altered correctly with loading factors correctly calculated, best to get a structural survey done to put your mind at rest.

Rebel · Answer

Unfortunately the quick answer is yes. There’s a reason why structural elements in a home are designed that way. If you imagine that you have a point load on your roof apex the forces exerted will try to collapse the legs of the roof hence the need for your ceiling joists to keep the legs from moving apart.

Stephen James · Answer

It sounds to me that the roof is already starting to spread. This sort of work should never be done without a structural engineer doing calculations. You should make arrangements for temporary supports to be installed as there is a possibility of collapse. 
My advise is to get some support in ASAP and contact a structural engineer.
If you require any assistance I can be contacted

Clayton · Answer

Their must be a form of movement for it to be cracking

Daniel · Answer

Hi there no u are not a woolly for listening to him u can put patterns in-between the roof joists we call them wood noughens 👍  I'm interested in how far apart they put them if u could tell m ? But also 4 months in as it was full extension u have to allow for settling as they are hir line as is so far not really a problem I have pictures I fixed in maulbarten the house was not even ten years old and the roof looked like it was separating from its self on 3rd floor of town house totally sorted it but as u will see the cracks are bad bad

Ceiling Joists Removed

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