yurt needing repair

[yurtin in Canada]

Hello- I am new here - this is my first post. We recently bought an existing yurt with wood walls and a wood/asphalt roof. It had been left vacant for 20 years and not maintained at all. The shingles had failed and water has been coming in for years. Some of the floorboards have rotted and the sill plates and also the tops of the joists. Also, the original owners put up some walls which now appear to be supporting part of the roof as that half with walls is higher than the other half. I don't know exactly how our yurt was built and how the roof rafters are attached to the ring but they look like on the saggy side - they are separating from the ring. We wanted to remove the interior walls but are now wondering how to ensure the structure doesn't fall down! Does anyone have any advice for me? I have been trying to find an expert in the Ontario, Canada area. Thanks for your help!

Sue

[TSRalex]

Sorry to say, but such a question should be answered before buying.

Without seeing the situation with own eyes nobody can seriously talk about possibilities, for supporting the existing

center ring

, or make changes on the whole (self carrying?) system.

Just my 50 Cents.....

[Jafo]

Can you post us some pictures perhaps?

[Bob Rowlands]

Based on what you stated you need a carpenter/contractor in there -on site looking at the damage- to analyze the situation. We can't do that here pictures or not. A skilled carpenter can give you advice.

That said, I really hate to say it, but twenty years of neglect on a yurt means it's done done. My yurt cover was SHOT in six years. The frame was fine. But if that cover had remained on for twenty years I don't think the yurt would have been standing.

Get a carpenter in there. GOOD LUCK!!

[Delores]

If you have wood walls it sounds like you may have a Coperthwaite tapered wall yurt. If so, I recommend ordering a set of plans from the Yurt Foundation. Their website is https://www.dryurts.com/. That way you can see how the structure is created.

That said, if the wood is rotten it might be time to start over. Good news is with a work party these go up in about 10 days.