The roof continued

This weekend (20/21 Jan) I wanted to complete the left hand (damaged) side of the roof. I ordered and received from Rainbow Conversions 2 new roof lights/ windows and they have arrived. Recap - I am replacing all the cross struts (20x28mm) with 25x45mm softwood to support double insulation depth.

Saturday morning is bright and cold so I get started. Pleased to find that despite the cold, the wood at the front end (that I worked on last time) has dried out nicely. First step is to remove the rest of the awning rail. This is straightforward and the same as the front half which I did last time. Then I clean off the sealant and turn down the aluminium sheeting to access the wooden frame. Some of this wood is very wet. I start to knock out the remnants of the ceiling ply sandwiched by the frame, this is also wet and difficult to get out.

The first 2 cross struts are easy, after that I have to work harder as this involves the surround of the bad roof window, I also have to remove the ceiling panelling on the opposite side a bit to get access to the centre rail. This reveals some hidden damp on the other side, probably from the second roof window. I try to pull out the cabinet reaching to the ceiling on the right. This is only partially successful as I can't get the heater off the floor, it must be bolted through - save that one for another day. I leave for the day with quite a few woods not in place, and the old window resting in place with a bit of duct tape, and the tarpaulin pulled over the whole lot.

It's really cold on Sunday morning, never mind - at least it's dry. I crack on installing the missing wood cross struts, slowed a bit by picking out the wet ceiling ply. Now it is snowing lightly, great... The new window frame is in place by lunchtime. Then cleaning off the old sealant on the roof, it's hard to get off! Succeed after quite a bit of effort with a blade, white spirit then meths. It is good to get the new roof window in, this is the first thing really fixed, and it looks quite good (sorry for lack of pics, it was very dull). I only hope the sealant works, I used a mastic strip, there was no warning about using it in he cold but it really was not very gooey, more like dry Blutac. I bash the aluminium back a bit, but allow it some space to air, cover the whole length of the old  awning rail with duct tape and the tarpaulin is back on by dusk.

I will have to do something about the damaged centre rail at the very front. Despite drying out, it is too rotten for repair I think. It will have to go, so I have to plan how to support this front section, I think I will span a wood entirely across the 2m width, and sacrifice a bit of height just at the front.

Next time...