Following that, I  have then had the pleasure of inspecting many timber-framed buildings over my 40 years undertaking surveys on various building types across both Norfolk and Suffolk.

The timber-framed passion has stayed with me. During that time, you develop a nose and foresight, and an understanding of the way in which timber frames work; the effects of water penetration, whether it be from the roof or leaking gutters; the use of a slightly harsh cement render which does not allow the building to breath, and the damage that all of that can cause to buildings that have stood for 300 to 400 years, has to be seen to be believed.

More recently the biggest cause of damage to the timber-framed building is the advent of cement. Cement renders are used on modern buildings as they provide a largely impervious external skin that prevents water ingress, which is fine on a cavity-built building, but not on timber frame or solid brick walls. The moisture can become trapped through cracks behind the render causing damage over time, whether that is by allowing the timber to rot, or the problems associated with the deathwatch beetle which only really attacks hardwood timber when it is wet.

If you can imagine that the timber frame is the part of the structure that carries the weight of the building, then any adverse effects will cause the frame to become misaligned as it compresses under the weight of the building and the lack of structural performance of the individual timber members.

The longevity of timber-framed buildings is due to the fact, that if one part of the frame rots, it can be cut out and replaced by new timber. Providing that it is done sympathetically, it works well, but not before the owner, or as is often the case, the new owner has dipped their hands in their pockets to pay, thousands, sometimes tens of thousands of pounds to undertake extensive repairs.

What are the Tell-Tale Signs?

Well, the biggest thing to look out for is whether the timber-framed building has been encased in cement via an external render, whether the roof is in good condition, are the gutters leaking, or is there evidence of internal dampness?

You often find that in a timber-framed building, many of the ground-floor timbers have already been replaced, or some are quite noticeably missing, whereas at the first-floor level, you will often find that most of the frame is still intact. It begins to tell a story, with those timbers closer to ground level most liable to be susceptible to damage.

Whilst all of that may seem a scary thought, it is possible to use skilled tradesmen to undertake any work, but of course that relies on paying the right price at the right time to allow for that, which is where an experienced surveyor who has had hands-on experience dealing with timber-framed buildings and refurbished timber-framed cottages comes in handy!! There are people out there with that experience, and I am one of them.