Difference between decay and damage in old buildings?
Answers
Before you start work on any kind of repair you should always try to find and treat the cause of the problem, not just the symptoms.
Weather and its effects are the fundamental cause of decay, leading to problems such as damp, mould, woodworm and fungi. Wood, brick and stone are the three most common building materials, and each of these reacts differently to the effects of weathering.
Regular maintenance will ensure you catch problems at an early stage, before full-scale repair is needed.
If you keep rainwater goods clear of debris, there’s little chance of an overflowing gutter leading to damp walls. If your walls are damp, there could be further damage from frost and changes in temperature, which could cause bricks to flake or decay. Salts in this moisture can also harm plaster and paint surfaces.
If wood gets damp and has no chance to dry out because there isn’t enough ventilation, wood-boring insects and fungi can quickly cause damage. A complete lack of ventilation can cause damp timbers, particularly floor timbers, to rot.
If the source of the damage remains unclear after you have made your own investigations, or the problem continues, seek advice from a building surveyor or other professional with experience of older houses. If you want to make repairs to your home you may need permission and should seek advice, especially if your home is listed or in a conservation area