NHIC SPRING 2003/FABRIC
Summer's the best time to check your fabric
Summer is a very good time to cast a critical eye over the fabric
of your home. Gradual deterioration of roof, walls, guttering,
fascias, soffits and cladding can be avoided by careful maintenance,
helping you to eliminate any potential problems before they start.
A stitch in time …!
A leaky roof can cause all sorts of associated damage to internal
ceilings and walls if left unchecked. It is important to find
the source of the leak and rectify the problem. But because water
may run down rafters and beams, the source of the problem may
not necessarily be directly above where the damp patch forms on
the ceiling.
An easy and safe way to look for roof problems is to stand back
and use binoculars. Check for missing slates or tiles, or worn
material on flat roofs and look out for wear and tear around chimney
breasts.
If roof work needs to be done, it is best to call in a reputable
roofer to make sure that the job is done properly and safely.
If you have timber soffits and fascias, make sure they are regularly
painted. Alternatively, having a proprietary upvc system installed
will reduce the need for maintenance – a wipe over with a damp
cloth every five years or so should suffice.
External timber should be painted with a preservative in order
to protect it against the effects of the elements.
Clear leaves from gutters and drainpipes as these can block them
and cause leaks that may damage to the brickwork and cause internal
dampness. Blocked and overflowing gutters may collapse, so ensure
all gutter supports are secure and in place and are not rusty
or worn.
Usually brickwork needs relatively little maintenance, but mortar
and pointing should be checked and replaced if it's crumbling.
A waterproofing solution can be applied to protect against penetrating
damp, but in certain cases where brickwork is very porous, new,
matching bricks should replace the old.
You can clean brickwork by scrubbing it with soapy water. If you
notice a white powder forming this is efflorescence caused by
moisture evaporation It will not damage the brickwork and can
be brushed off and apply a neutralising solution (sold in builders’
merchants).
Further information: Graham Ponting, NHIC. Tel: 0207 828 8230
FEB 2003