Why Important The consequences can be just as severe as with other sources of dampness and dry rot is just as likely to occur if the faults are not remedied. What to look for These are likely to be due to: Plumbing leaks (pipes, toilets, baths/showers, kitchen taps) Faulty radiator valves Washing machine, dishwasher floods …
Category: Heritage Guide
The Heritage Homes Guide
Ogee Rhones (S-shaped gutters)
Why Important What to look for The S-shape gutter is quite distinctive, and can often be found in retrofitting on roofs that did not originally have any guttering. Usually they are made from cast iron. When to look Gutters should be cleared out regularly. Outlets from S-shaped gutters need to be regularly cleared of leaves …
Niche Stoves
Why Important What to look for When to look How to fix Avoiding creating problems Historical background
Name Plates
Why Important Badly placed, sized or coloured business signage can seriously undermine a hertiage area. Yet busineses do need to show where they are located. Within a conservation area, and especially on Listed buildings, there are rules regarding business signage. Failure to follow these rules can prove to be a very expensive, legal, hassel for …
Mud Scrapers (or Boot Scrapers)
Why Important Although not needed today, due to better drainage and paved footways, they are, nevertheless, a key feature of period homes. From the 18th Century they indicated the status of the property, as they were used for middle class and higher class homes or businesses. What to look for The Cast-iron Mud Scrapers (usually …
Mantelpieces
Why Important What to look for Mantelpieces of softwood, such as red pine, painted and carved or enriched with stucco or composition, were common until the early nineteenth century; Mirrors were placed over mantelpieces from the 1790s onwards. Later Georgian houses in the Hamilton Square had marble mantelpieces; white Italian statuary marble, with yellow, sienna …
Letter Boxes
Why Important What to look for If the building was built before 1840, then any letter box would be a retrospective addition. Therefore check if installing a Letter Plate is suitable for the external door. An external box for letters may be more appropriate to retain the period appearance for Georgian properties. The earliest were …
Lead Watergate flashing
Why Important Lead is a malleable sheet metal which can be folded, welded and beaten to form any shape required to accommodate a roof. Lead can also be used in place of mortar at abutments. This may have a minor impact on the appearance of the roof, but if laid properly and secured, lead should …
Lead Sheet (19th Century)
Why Important Lead is a malleable sheet metal which can be folded, welded and beaten to form any shape required to accommodate a roof. What to look for These are made of long sheets of lead dressed over timber rolls and held in place by lead clips, which are screw-fixed to the timber under the …
Lead sheet
Why Important What to look for When to look How to fix Avoiding creating problems Historical background