Directory of Traditional Building Skills - Mourne Heritage Trust

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Roofs, Chimneys and Rainwater DisposalEnsuring effective rainwater disposal is a crucial part of good maintenance. Water should berapidly channelled away from roofs or other surfaces so that there is no risk of unwantedmoisture penetrating the structure. It is also essential that there is a satisfactory means of takingwater away from the base of the building so that it does not affect foundations or cause decaythrough excessive ‘splash back’ onto the walls.Roof coverings are often attractive as well as functional elements of a building. Whereverpossible traditional materials should be used for re-covering roofs. This should apply not onlyto slates and tiles, where natural/handmade types are greatly preferable, but also to thatchwhich should be appropriate to the locality in terms of material and detail. Slipped slates andtiles, copings to gable ends and the gradual decay of thatch should all be watched and remedialaction taken when necessary.The condition of gutters and downpipes should be regularly monitored; occasional inspectionsduring heavy rain showers can be a revealing way of seeing how the rainwater goods cope withwater from the roof. At other times stained masonry is likely to indicate that there is a defectof some kind such as a blockage or crack. At regular intervals – ideally in the Spring andAutumn – leaves and other obstructions should be cleared. Heavy snow can also causeblockages and flooding as it melts – if this is of particular concern snow boards or other modernalternatives can be used to guard against potential blockages. Also to be considered is thecondition of lead flashings to chimneys and junctions and other leadwork, such as to valley orparapet gutters and to door canopies or bay windows. Leadwork will not last indefinitely andultimately will need to be repaired or replaced. The involvement of a specialist is thenadvisable.MasonryThe masonry of a building is not merely the structural material linking the building’sarchitectural features; the type of material used and its treatment are essential parts of thebuilding’s character. Traditionally there was, in general, an intention to create a unity in thesurface of the wall rather than to emphasise the presence of bricks or stones in the construction.Thus modern ‘ribbon’ pointing, which creates mortar joints raised from the surface of themasonry, is almost always inappropriate for an old building. Rubble stonework was very oftenunified by a coating of render and/or limewash. Where used, traditional specialist techniques,such as tuck pointing – where the irregularities of the bricks are first disguised by a mortar thatmatches their colour, and then this mortar is scored with a narrow line which is itself pointedto produce the appearance of a neat and slim joint – should be respected as an essential part ofthe character of the brick wall.Regular checks should be made on the condition of the masonry and mortar joints. The mortar,traditionally lime-based in most cases, should be softer than the surrounding masonry. As suchit is intended to be a ‘sacrificial’ element of the building where erosion will occur. It is usuallyfelt that re-pointing is required when the depth of recession exceeds the width of the joint. Thegrowth of vegetation near to and within the masonry also needs to be controlled as damage mayresult.XII
Any significant structural problems with masonry are likely to require professionalinvolvement but the owner should watch for evidence of on-going movement such as thewidening of joints. However, cracks and distortions are not necessarily a problem; in somecases they will have occurred early in the building’s history and will not be a continuing causefor concern.Windows and DoorsThe detail of traditional joinery is most important to the character of an old building. ‘Off thepeg’ modern replacement doors and windows can bear a superficial resemblance to earlierexamples but generally they lack the interest of the original in terms of form and detail.Particularly unsuitable are modern units in PVC-U, aluminium or tropical hardwood. Even ifthey make an attempt at a traditional design they are almost invariably a very poor substitute;typical unsatisfactory details include glazing bars stuck onto plate glass, fanlights incorporatedinto doors, over-reflective double glazing and imitation sash windows where sashes pivotrather than slide. Contrary to some manufacturers’ claims, there is also evidence that PVC-Udoes not have a great life expectancy. Timber windows and doors, if properly maintained, canlast almost indefinitely.Similarly old glass, including crown or cylinder types, differs significantly from modern forms.Old glass should be valued for its colour and texture; these factors can make a surprisinglyimportant contribution to the character of windows. Retention of old glass avoids themechanical, lifeless look that can occur with modern replacement fenestration.Regular maintenance of traditional windows and doors should include repainting, lubricatinghinges and other sliding parts and checking putty to glazing for cracks. If required draughtproofing, or secondary glazing, can be installed without harming the fabric of an old windowor door.InteriorsInteriors of traditional character should be appreciated. Modern replacement fittings such asdoors, skirting boards, fitted cupboards and door furniture are likely to date quickly and losetheir attraction whereas a well maintained traditional interior will retain its interest and is likelyto become increasingly important to the value of the building. In most cases there should notbe any major conflict between modern living and the retention of historic features.Evidence of internal decay such as damp patches, deteriorating plaster and fungal attack totimber may indicate problems connected with the building’s basic fabric and disposal ofrainwater. However, poor ventilation combined with the evaporation of water from baths andkettles may be responsible for some of these problems. In all such cases it is necessary to findthe problem and resolve it before further difficulties arise.A basic understanding of the form of construction, careful and regular maintenance and the useof appropriate traditional skills and materials are of fundamental importance to the care ofhistoric buildings. With these, buildings are unlikely to cause problems and the varied qualitiesthat contribute to their historic character, whether grand or humble, can be fully appreciated.XIII
Page 2: IIThe Square, Killough, County Down
Page 5 and 6: If you are professionally involved
Page 7 and 8: CONTENTSForewordIntroductionDos and
Page 9 and 10: INTRODUCTIONIt is reassuring to rea
Page 11: DOS AND DON’TS IN MAINTAINING AN
Page 15 and 16: Window maintenance at Belfast City
Page 17 and 18: MGCMICEMIWEMMRIAINHBCNTPVC-UReg. Ar
Page 19 and 20: Telephone:Email:Website:Consultant
Page 21 and 22: Telephone:Email:Consultant - ARCHIT
Page 37 and 38: Telephone:Consultant - ARCHITECTJoh
Page 41 and 42: Telephone:Consultant - ARCHITECTLar
Page 59 and 60: Telephone:Email:Consultant - BUILDI
Page 61 and 62: Telephone:Email:Consultant - ENVIRO
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Telephone:Email:Consultant - QUANTI
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Telephone:Email:Consultant - MULTI-
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Consultant - ARCHITECTStone Conserv
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Telephone:Email:Website:MAIN CONTRA
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Telephone:Email:MAIN CONTRACTORFeli
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Telephone:Email:MAIN CONTRACTORHugh
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Telephone:MAIN CONTRACTORJoseph McC
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Telephone:Email:MAIN CONTRACTORMart
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Telephone:MAIN CONTRACTORNoel Kille
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Telephone:MAIN CONTRACTORRoy Hanna
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Telephone:Email:MAIN CONTRACTORTA H
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1 MASONRY - STONE AND BRICKDressed,
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Whilst building or repairing rubble
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e) ConsolidantsChemical consolidant
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Telephone:Email:Website:Sub-Contrac
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2 ROOFING - SLATING, TILING AND THA
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Telephone:Sub-Contractor - SLATING
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Sub-Contractor - SLATING &ROOFINGCa
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Telephone:Sub-Contractor - LEADWORK
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Sub-Contractor - LEADWORKT Chambers
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Telephone:Website:Sub-Contractor -
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Sub-Contractor - IRONMONGERY &METAL
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Window shutters and glazing in need
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6 PLASTERWORK AND RENDERSUntil the
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Telephone:Sub-Contractor - PLASTERW
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Sub-Contractor - PLASTERWORKCastle
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Venetian window with coloured latti
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Telephone:Email:Sub-Contractor - GL
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Sub-Contractor - TILES & TILINGCast
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9 PAINTWORKPaint has long been used
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10 FITTINGSPerhaps in Ireland more
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Telephone:Sub-Contractor - WOODCARV
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Sub-Contractor - CABINETMAKINGWilli
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Large chimneys are divided into mul
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Telephone:Sub-Contractor - REMEDIAL
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12 SERVICESThe introduction of any
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13 SPECIALIST SURVEYS & PHOTOGRAPHY
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SUPPLIERS137
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Telephone:Email:Website:Supplier -
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Telephone:Email:Supplier - LIME PUT
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Telephone:Email:Supplier - RAINWATE
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Appendix 1: FURTHER READINGThe foll
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The Georgian Group6 Fitzroy SquareL
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Historic ScotlandLongmore HouseSali
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Appendix 2: GRANTS AND OTHER ASSIST
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Appendix 3: USEFUL ADDRESSES AND CO
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Building Preservation TrustsAdvice
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Department of Agriculture and Rural
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INDEX OF CRAFTSMEN, FIRMS, PRACTICE
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INDEX OF SKILLS AND SPECIALISMSArch
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Directory of Traditional Building Skills - Mourne Heritage Trust

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