How to fix gap between the roof eaves and fascias?

[elliejohnson78]

Sorry I'm not very technical or have any idea on anything building related.

​We've just had a new extension put on an exciting structure (external to our house), as part of these works a new roof has been put on. We decided to have the roof cavity space turned into an extra storage area and a ladder put into the ceiling for easy access. We haven't started putting items up there yet, but when I pulled the ladder down yesterday to have a look at the space up there (I hadn't been up there before) I noticed there is a gap between the roof and the side of the structure. It would be large enough for bugs, rodents etc to get in and I could see the sun streaming in and the underside of the roof tiles - so I imagine water, dust etc would be able to get in also. I could handle a small sliver of a gap, but this seems quite a large gap. We will of course be putting all the items up there into tubs etc but would still prefer to protect the items we store up there and keep them protected from the elements and also protect the roof and ceiling from getting damaged as I imagine it will get quite damp with a big gap being there.

My hubby spoke to the builders this morning and they said this is normal, is it???? I can't see this being normal. Maybe it is normal, but I've just never seen it as the gyprock/wall & internal ceiling hides this in a house. 

I'm not sure exactly how wide the gap is, as I didn't go all the way over to the gap as it hasn't been cleaned up in there yet, as there is building dust everywhere. 

I've been searching online all day and I'm no closer to finding a solution What could we put in the gap to block off entry from dust, water, bugs, rodents etc? and make the storage area more sealed off from the elements. 

Sorry, it may be hard to see in the photos, but the first photo is without a flash and shows the sun streaming in and the other's are with the flash on, so more just showing the location of where the gap is. 

Any help/tips would be greatly appreciated. 

Gap - with flash offGapGap

[EricL]

Hello @elliejohnson78 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your roof.

In regards to your question about the gap between your wall and the roof, yes, it is normal. It allows air to circulate in your roof space and prevents condensation from forming. You can put a mesh over the gaps to prevent rodents from entering, but for a more thorough cover you can combine flyscreen over the standard mesh. My best advice is to cover your containers with a Saxon 3.25 x 5.3m Medium Duty Tarpaulin so that dust does not settle on top of them. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendation.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @elliejohnson78 

Any chance you could please send a few photos from the external side as this would help me better understand the scenario. 

But on first glance to me it appears excessive. 

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @elliejohnson78 

Ceiling spaces are not sealed off tightly at all, As @EricL has mentioned I wouldnt be sealing the roofing space up to that level as it will promote build up of condensation, 

I have an old ceiling space, I dont even have sarking (that silver stuff on the underside of the roof. The boards on the roof itself at the base you can see in your photos are also new to me. I would be sealing off teh area with mesh or flyscreen as @EricL has mentioned if its a concern. 

More or a worry is that generally Austrailan roof spaces have not been made to carry a larger load, long term such as boards and storage of items. Did the builder/designer clarify what can be placed in the roofing space? I would love to use the area as well but because of the existing loading I have hesitated to use it for storage.

Dave