Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2016 | Page 113

Property

Vegetation causing damage to external masonry

Maintaining your
period property
By Wight Heritage Preservation
Many of us can only dream of owning
and restoring a grand period property,
but for those who do, that dream can
sometimes turn into a nightmare.
Jamie Viney from Wight Heritage Preservation
explains that the most common problem faced by the
period property homeowner is damp.  Roof coverings,
gutters, downpipes and drains need to be checked
regularly, to ensure that they are working efficiently.
A leaky roof is the most obvious issue, but damp
from overflowing gutters or badly ventilated spaces
can also cause timbers to rot, plaster to flake off, and
bricks to crumble.
Wight Heritage Preservation recommends
homeowners draw up a property maintenance
plan. This will help to identify any maintenance
issues that may need attention. The plan should
take into account how the property is constructed,
what changes have been made over its lifespan,
and its overall condition. Identify the weak points
and anticipate where problems might occur. For
example, in many older houses hard-to-access

gutters, particularly if they’re hidden from view, can
get forgotten. 
Think of the building as a whole, including its
interior and the surrounding site. Consider such issues
as surface water drainage or the proximity of trees.
Take into account the property’s position and exposure
to the elements. A building in an exposed upland area
or close to the sea will need a different approach to
one on a sheltered inland site, for instance. Include
services in your maintenance plan, especially electrical
and plumbing systems, as fire and flooding pose a
particular threat to historic fabric.
For more information contact Wight Heritage
Preservation on 01983 522396 or 07926
523468, or check out the website: www.
wightheritagepreservation.co.uk.

Lime mortar pointing being carried out,
preventing further damage from damp

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