Why Important What to look for When to look How to fix Avoiding creating problems
Category: Heritage Guide
The Heritage Homes Guide
Rooflights
Why Important Early rooflights simply consisted of a large sheet of thick glass set into the roof like a large slate. It is very unusual to find these now. Later, cast iron pattern rooflights were introduced which need to be painted periodically. They often used as an alternative to using Cupolars for natural lighting of …
Introduction to Roof Works
Why Important Roofs needed to be steep to shed rain and snow quickly to avoid water penetrating the roof. This page is designed to help homeowners better understand their roofs, the materials used to make them, and how to spot problems quickly, so they can be rectified before they turn into costly and disruptive repairs. …
Rising damp
Why Important Many Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian buildings were not built with a damp-proof course (dpc), and most are subject to some rising damp. However, where basements are inhabited and are properly ventilated and heated, rising damp is rarely a serious problem. What to look for Period buildings are subject to some rising damp, which …
Restoring a Missing Balcony, and other metal ornamentation
Why this is important Balconies are a key feature of architectural design. Replacement of missing balconies, of a suitable design for the building architecture, is very likely to add to the desirability of the property and hence, the buildings overall value. What to look for A visual inspection of the façade is likely to show …
Repairing Joint Between simple Baluster and Hand rail
Why Important If a handrail breaks and someone falls as a result, the owner is legally liable, regardless of Third Party Cover Insurance. Railing repairs should be carried out promptly. It is essential to identify and remedy the cause of any structural movement resulting in damage to the railings themselves. Any replacement work should always …
Repairing Ironwork
Why Important Iron oxidises rapidly in the presence of water and oxygen and requires protection against corrosion by painting, As long as a paint film is unbroken, the protection will be effective. What to look for Rusting will usually begin in crevices and in joints where it is difficult to paint. Although cast iron is …
Repainting Woodwork
Why Important What to look for When to look How to fix There are many different types of coatings available for applying to wood. These include: Oil based gloss paints These consist of a primer, an undercoat and a gloss top coat and use white spirits as a brush cleaner. Water-borne gloss paints These are …
Repainting Balconies
Why this is important Painting adds additional protection to the metal from weathering and rusting. Ironwork will need repainting about once every five years. South or West facing exposures may need repainting more frequently. All ironwork should be inspected at the first signs of rust, and, at least, annually for any signs of breakdown and …
Rendered Facades
There are period buildings with rendered finishes. (Examples can be found in Argyle Street & Market Street, Birkenhead) (details are to be uploaded later) How to Fix Refer to advice leaflets from https://georgiangroup.org.uk/advice-leaflets/ AND https://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/stucco/stucco.htm