EXTERIOR WALLS
Exterior walls make an important contribution to the appearance of your property. Problems with walls might be caused by decay of materials (including timber, brick or stone), water damage or structural problems.
Maintenance principles DO
– Repair mortar or rendered surfaces to match the original. Many heritage buildings use a weak cement-lime-sand ratio and this should be carefully matched in any repairs. This is important to maintain both appearance and structural integrity – Match the ‘pointing’ of bricks or blocks. Pointing is the finish of the mortar joints between bricks or blocks and will often require a specialist tradesperson
– Check for problems with gutters and downpipes (see page 26) and rising/falling damp (see page 30), where there is staining, moss, peeling or bubbling paint or damage to timber or masonry – Keep timber walls and elements dry and coated with paint – Refix or patch repair timber elements (such as weatherboards, corner stops or mouldings) that are loose or decaying. Match the size and shape of timber elements and recycle weatherboards/ timber if available – Check for sagging weatherboards as it may indicate a problem with footings or stumps (see page 29) – Check for and treat signs of pests such as termites or borer (see page 31) – Clean masonry walls using low risk methods, such as low-pressure water spray and hand scrubbing, or application of organic solvents – Look for signs of salt damage such as white or brown deposits or crumbling of the face of brick or stone (see page 30) – Understand and treat the cause of problems (such as dampness, inappropriate cleaning methods or structural problems) before undertaking repairs or painting
Peeling or bubbling paint can indicate water damage.
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CITY OF CASEY: HERITAGE HANDBOOK
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