Why Important 18th Century Tiles were made of local clay by hand, and therefore vary in colour and size. Clay plain tiles are flat, and are laid like slates. Changing the existing tiles with a different roofing material can lead to significant problems with the original roof structure. Failure of the roof leads to failures …
Category: Heritage Guide
The Heritage Homes Guide
Suppliers and Installers
The following are companies known to specialise in providing supplies or services for the maintenance of historic buildings. The suppliers are listed under headings representing the kinds of issues that may need fixing. Some suppliers may appear under more than one heading. The listing of a supplier here does not mean that they are a …
Steps, Platts (Paving) and Arches
Why Important Because the width of each step and platt stone is often as much as eight feet (2.5 metres), renewal can be expensive; minor damage is best left undisturbed, unless it affects the stability of railings or masonry. Worn treads and damaged nosings can be ignored unless they constitute a hazard. What to look …
Steps, Platts and Arches
GENERAL Most ground floors in the Hamilton Square are above pavement level; the ‘common stair’ or ‘main door’ is entered across a stone arched bridge carrying a stone platt and steps, and there are stone steps down from street level to the basement areas. Stone from Storton Quarry, Wirral was used for steps and paving …
RISING DAMP
Georgian buildings were not built with a damp-proof course (dpc), and most are subject to some rising damp, which is often recognisable by a continuous band of dampness and discolouration on the ground or basement floor, or by efflorescence on the plasterwork. Unless it is severe, rising damp is not a structural problem, though the damage to …
CONDENSATION
Condensation occurs when warm, moist air comes into contact with a cooler surface and is invariably accompanied by mould growth, which can form on any cold surface, including the contents of cupboards and wardrobes. Dampness from condensation usually affects the whole area of walls, ceiling and floor, unlike the patchiness of penetrating or rising damp, …
Slate Roofing
Introduction What to look for What to do if you find a problem Avoiding creating problems Historical background
Slate laying method
Why Important A well-slated roof can last up to 150 years. Regular maintenance is the key to keeping your roof performing well, avoiding unplanned and expensive emergency repairs. The more complex the roof, for example with dormers or hips, the greater the likelihood of problems. Originally, nailed slated roofs were fixed direct to the sarking …
Skirting Boards
Why Important The Skirting boards used in Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian properties are much taller (often 150mm tall) than 20th Century skirting boards (usually 30mm tall) and thus make a significant impression in a period home. What to look for Where there is any existing sample of original skirting in the room, then use that …
Scottish Slate (18th & 19th Century)
Why Important What to look for This West Highland slate is thick and has poor cleavage (splitting) which leads to a characteristic uneven surface texture. Unfortunately, West Highland Blue slates have not been quarried since the 1950’s so matching-in can be difficult. However, a good slater is likely to have a source of second-hand slates for patching. …