Advice & Guidance

Inside the Building

Towers and spires: Access to towers or spires can sometimes be difficult but it is important to be able to inspect each level to spot potential problems. Your architect or surveyor may be able to provide guidance on making access safer and easier but remember that you may need to obtain permission for any alteration works. Where the tower or spire contains a working set of bells particular dangers are present, so you may need to think carefully about how and when access is obtained. Towers with telecommunications installations may also be subject to certain restrictions regarding access.

Action point: If possible, check the condition of any ladders in the tower and make sure that handrails and lighting are in working order. You may also need to clear away any debris and droppings left by birds. Small amounts of bird droppings can be removed by hand providing you consider the risks and take appropriate precautions. This might include wearing rubber gloves, a face mask and safety goggles. If deposits are substantial, you may need to call in a specialist cleaning team.

Action point: Make sure that roofs and other high areas, including windows and louvres, are bird-proof before the nesting season begins in March but take care that you do not disturb any bats. Wire mesh is generally stronger than netting and will last longer. Remember that ventilation is also important so don't block up openings completely. Your architect or surveyor will be able to advise on how best to bird-proof your place of worship.

Bells and bell frames: The bell frame is a working instrument with a large number of moving parts that require regular maintenance. Although the daily care of bells and bell frames may be carried out by a competent bell ringer it is important that they have the appropriate level of knowledge and skill. It is advisable to discuss the care and maintenance of the bells and bell frame with your tower captain to establish a sensible routine. Works to the bells and bell frame should also be recorded in your logbook.

Action point: Ask your tower captain to check that the bell chamber, bell frame and bells are in a good condition and working satisfactorily. Consider preparing and implementing a maintenance plan for the bells and bell frame.

Clocks: It is usually advisable for a single person to be responsible for the routine maintenance of the turret clock, even though a rota of people may wind it. This person should have some mechanical knowledge and should be able to carry out the necessary safety checks as well as attending to the lubrication of the moving parts and the removal of dirt and surplus oil. They should also be able to regulate the clock to ensure it keeps the correct time. All other work is the preserve of the specialist craftsperson.

Action point: Confirm that the appropriate safety checks for the clock, weight lines and pulleys have been carried out. Consider preparing and implementing a maintenance plan for the clock.

Roof spaces: If your roof space has a safe means of access and has a boarded floor, check whether there is evidence of leaks or damage to the roof covering during heavy rain, especially below gutters. Where daylight can be seen from inside through gaps in the roof covering, moisture may well be able to enter. Make sure that any roof insulation is not restricting ventilation at the eaves. If there is an insufficient gap and there is a risk of condensation this may lead to timber decay. If your roof space is not boarded or access is difficult then it is better to have this part of the inspection carried out by a professional.

Ceilings: Not all places of worship have ceilings. In many cases, the underside of the roof structure is visible from below. Inspect the ceiling or the underside of the roof thoroughly, using binoculars and a flashlight if necessary, as stains and damp patches on the plaster or timberwork may indicate a problem that requires further investigation. However, some stains may relate to a previous fault that has now been fixed. If the stains are new, the cause is likely to be a slipped slate or tile or a split in the leadwork. Where the ceiling is directly attached to the underside of the rafters, cracking can sometimes indicate problems with the roof structure.

Action point: If you observe new stains on the ceiling or the underside of the roof structure, consider carrying out an inspection of the roof covering. If access is safe, you may be able to so this yourself, otherwise you may need to consider obtaining the services of a professional.

Internal walls: The first point to consider is that all old buildings will be damp to a certain degree. They are designed to accept moisture and to allow this moisture to evaporate when the conditions are right. In a sense, good maintenance is simply a question of managing the level of dampness to ensure that the building remains comfortable and usable. However, alterations to the fabric of the building through the years can affect its equilibrium, leading to excessive levels of dampness. If this is the case, the important point is to aim to treat the cause rather than symptoms.

If you suspect that there might be a problem with damp and can identify patches of staining on walls, consult your architect or surveyor for independent advice rather than a remedial company with a vested interest in their own recommendations. Be aware that injected damp-proof courses, water-repellent solutions and proprietary wall coatings do more harm than good when inappropriately applied to old buildings. If there is a possibility of damp, it needs to be very carefully investigated to determine the cause. Damp will often be the result of a failure of rainwater goods or the build-up of ground levels around the building but it may be less straightforward. Begin by eliminating any obvious causes such as leaking pipework or a failed roof covering and work systematically through the potential contributory factors. Once the cause has been identified, appropriate remedial action can be taken.

Action point: If you identify any new stains or damp patches, try to identify and address the cause. If there is no obvious cause, consider consulting your professional advisor.

Action point: Help your building to rid itself of excess water vapour by making sure that you open windows and doors on dry days during the summer months. Flueless gas heaters and the presence of a sizeable congregation will introduce a considerable amount of water vapour into the internal environment. It this moisture is not allowed to escape you may find that you have to cope with condensation on windows and patches of mould growing on cold surfaces.

Floors: Many places of worship have pews. These are usually fixed to suspended timber floors, which have a void beneath them. If your timber floor has a void below it, you should check that any air bricks and ventilators at the base of the walls are kept clear to allow air to pass freely through them. This will decrease the likelihood of fungal rot or insect infestation. Worn floorboards or those with old evidence of beetle attack do not necessarily require repair. Gaps can be filled and loose floorboards re-fixed quite easily by a skilled joiner.

Old stone floors should not be sealed with wax or oil. They need to be able to ‘breathe' so do not cover them with rubber or foam backed carpet either. Historic floors and important features, such as medieval encaustic tiles, ledger stones and brasses, need special care and advice should be sought as to the best means of their protection.

Floors should also be inspected to monitor wear and tear and ensure that they do not present a hazard. Worn, chipped or delaminated areas may require attention to prevent the deterioration accelerating, whilst sheet materials such as carpet or vinyl can pose a tripping hazard if they are loose or worn. Areas of heavy use such as toilets and kitchens will need frequent consideration.

Internal joinery: Check timberwork for signs of rot, including less accessible areas such as floor voids, under stairs and in cupboards if you can do this safely. Dampness and poor ventilation promote fungal decay and insect attack. If you suspect that there are signs of rot, it is important to address the underlying cause. Your architect or surveyor will be able to provide further guidance.

Worn or loose stair nosings, handrails and balusters can be dangerous and should be repaired as soon as possible. They should only be replaced as a last resort. The key principle is to retain as much as possible of the existing fabric but this does require the input of skilled craftspeople.

Organs: Pipe organs need comparatively little maintenance other than attention from an organ tuner once or twice a year depending on the type of organ and its condition.

Action point: It is useful to keep a tuner's logbook so that the organist can note down any problems that appear. These can be addressed on the organ tuner's next visit. The organ tuner can also make minor adjustments to the action as part of their work. If the problems are more far reaching you will need to seek advice from the organ advisor in your own denomination or your professional advisor.