Help! Advice please on split/broken purlin

[KentonArcher]

We have a Victorian terraced house (1896) and whilst in the loft the other day, DP noticed a split in the beam that supports the roof - we've since learned this is called a purlin .

I fear this must be quite serious and will need sorting out but of course as always when something goes wrong with the house, the home insurance won't cover it and we're stony broke .

Can anyone offer advice on the best trades person to fix this (roofer, structural engineer, carpenter, etc)? And can it be repaired rather than replaced which I'm guessing would be cheaper?

A bit of googling tells me that this is quite common with these houses (we've been here 13 years) so has anyone else experience of having work done on your purlins?

Thank you in advance,

No, but we did have our loft boarded and where there was a strength issue they used hangers/metal plates that attached to both parts and reinforced the strength iyswim

I would get a surveyor to have a gander and suggest something. I very much doubt it will involve removing the offending bit, but might well mean some reinforcement.

building control at the council might be able to come and look? Free advice but if not then a structural surveyor for advice and any builder or chippy can do it I imagine.

You basically want to know the building/roof won't fall in and meets regulations.

Thank you Anastasie, that helps.

Just spoken to my DP who works for the LA, he's managed to speak to someone he knows in their planning department who has also advised a structural surveyor come and have a look.

And yes, just want to know that the roof isn't about to fall on our heads!

Could it be braced rather than replaced?

It can probably be braced to strengthen it, depending on the damage.
Surveyor then a roofer.