my pointing out the structural engineer clause, is because I wonder about things like claiming for hail damage and the claim is rejected because the install is ānot compliantā (i.e. all electrical safety boxes ticked, and then some, but the roof was not signed off by a structural engineer). I truely do not know how many officially approved installs would even include a structural engineer as part of the process.
I have always owned a corrugated steel roof house until now. This one has solid concrete tiles which weigh plenty!
This was all fine and dandy until we removed an internal wall only to realize it was supporting the roof trusses. In those days when the house was built the carpenter arrived with a pile of timber, a saw and some nails. One purlin was not long enough to be supported at the ends so no problem, they used an internal wall for supportā¦
You can go up to 10 meters on a stretch, if you construct the trusses with the right material, in the right way, etc etc. Saw that number somewhere last night. Also nothing wrong with having load-bearing walls inside the house. You should check if a wall is load bearing before you knock it out
The regulations stipulate that the supporting walls should only be the outside walls. Although in older houses it sometimes touch the inner walls, the design should be done that only the outside walls carry the weight. In some cases beam filling is done on the inner walls that create the perception that they are also supporting wall. This allows for changes in the house without compromising the roof integrity.
Always thankful to be correctedā¦ probably still a good idea to check inside walls just in case
One place it happens very easily, is a wall that was structural at some point, but then some modifications was made to the house and the roof was changed and now that wall is an internal wall (that used to be an external wall). My kitchen is definitely like that. I canāt just knock walls around.
Roofers were at our house, they told a story where a lady recently wanted to remove some internal walls, with them having to come in and fix the end result.
The house was about 25-30 years old.
So the builders that got the job came in and removed said walls as per the ladyās strict instructions.
Beautiful end results, big open plan house. Saw the photos.
Soon after Cpt storms hit, those big ones last year ā¦ and the trusses snapped. Tile roof.
R350k later and the ladyās roof was back where it was supposed to have stayed. Not an insurance claim either.
Internal walls tend to be single bricks ā¦ fit for purpose.
If it is double, better check why.
We have some internal double walls in the house.
The entire tile roof, and the long-span trusses, were removed and donated. So when the roof came off, I saw why there were double walls strategically placed. The trusses rested on them. Cleverly done, I must say. The span got just too long. So either more costs on strengthening them, being a tile roof, or double internal walls to mitigate that additional cost.
We then slapped on a concrete slab on the house, these internal double brick walls were used again to mitigate additional costs. Even had to install a concrete pillar strategically in one room.
Engineers are clever people. Can save one a boatload of cash. Just have to ask them to come and have a quick squizz before removing a double brick internal wall ā¦ and never remove a pillar that you cannot see what is resting on it.
So true. Saw that in my own home. So many expansions over the years that many of my internal walls use to be external. Lucky for me, the expansions were done in such a way that each expansion has its own roof. No confusion there, but not everybody does it that way.
This is my understanding as well. Now that we have roof truss vendors and the frames are shipped to site pre assembled the design of these will be such that only the outside walls support the structure. (Presumably done by a software design program)
I just got a call from a company. Say they are offering a product - checking of solar systems. This can be ad hoc by arrangement, or you can pay them a monthly sub and they come out twice a year.
They will clean your panels, they will check all the connections, they say they will check the settings on your inverter, check the SPDs (eny fule can do that, surely?), and they will do thermal imaging of the system, including the battery.
Very interesting. They say they are doing this for two reasons.
Gap in the market
Insurers are getting worried about fire risks and so want, or soon will want, regular reports from a competent third party, including the thermal imaging.
EDIT
This also fits in with COJās SSEG registration process. You have to submit an āoperation philosophyā document which promises things like
āRegularly cleaning solar panels to maintain optimal energy production. Removing dust, dirt, and debris that may accumulate on the surfaceā
and
āMaintaining comprehensive records of all inspections, maintenance activities, and
performance data. Submitting reports to relevant authorities as required.ā
Jikkel! Thereās a whole new industry being born here.
Yes. My system is 4.5 years old now (ish) and the only maintenance has been to clean the panels from time to time (hose and cold water). Itās a good bet that something should at least be checked.
But itās like so many other things. I think by now we understand that a car is going to need servicing, but everything else kind of takes us by surprise. We think the wiring and plumbing in our house are going to last forever. It doesnāt occur to us that the swimming pool is just sitting in earth and earth moves and so things will eventually crack (happened to me, and I started losing water at an alarming rate).
I remember my then boss interupting my joy at having signed the deal and taken transfer and owning my first house. He said ābuy a good tool kit. Youāre going to need it.ā
Indeed. Iām tired of fixing stuff (also my āfixingā generally ends up costing more money than if Iād just got somebody in in the first place). Plus I have made the wife a promise that I wonāt go up ladders anymore. She will countenance me using a step ladder to get at a light bulb, but thatās about it. And she has good reasons.
I certainly donāt want to be clambering up on the roof cleaning panels. Thereās 6 I can do from the ground with a hose, but the others require the dreaded climb.
With the amount of shiite I have broken in and around the house the last few years, Iām very close to being banned from washing dishes - 2 people, dishwasher too much effort.
No, it is not a scam to get out of it either.
āStuff must not break so easily manā, my argument. And it includes me. As Robert points out, āafgeleefā se dinges man!
My insurance company when asked about insurance on my solar system said that I need a CoC for the installation. Since this was a simple solar PV hot water geyser system I donāt have a CoC having installed it myself.
Now that Iām expanding my system Iām happy to have a tame accredited sparky that can get the approvals for the installation from CoCT.
Armed with this Iāll be able to provide the CoC to the insurance company.
They are soon going to be wanting a lot more than a CoC. Though as a rule, when the wiring of the house changes, get a fresh CoC and give your insurer a copy. Otherwise if the worst happens they will send out a loss adjuster, and the moment he finds some wiring that doesnāt fit whatās declared on the CoC then all bets will be off.
They are going to want to know (already, or soon) what type of battery you have. I have already seen a sample policy for one insurer (I canāt name the name) who stipulates that they will only insure LIFE batteries. They donāt ask you to stipulate the battery, but they draw your attention to that wording and if anything happens and the battery chemistry turns out to be something else then they will just wash their hands of you.
They will also start wanting to see SSEG registration, not because they are concerned about billing arrangements between you and Eskom or the Municipality, but because the registration gives them some confidence that standards have been adhered to and an engineer has inspected the installation.
I hear rumours that they are going to start wanting to see proof of maintenance. Not to get insurance, but if you claim. This is not unprecedented. If you claim for storm damage and Mr Loss Adjuster is sent out and rules that you have not properly maintained your roof and/or gutters then, as his job title suggests, they will adjust their loss.
