Advice & Guidance
Understanding Maintenance
Historic buildings are constructed from natural materials, which have a finite life span, so although we tend to think of old buildings as timeless we have to accept that they will eventually begin to decay.
For some materials such as stone and brick the decay process may be very slow but for others, such as thatch and lead, the process may be much quicker. It therefore makes sense to try to ensure that the fabric of the building survives as long as possible by carrying out regular maintenance and dealing with small repairs as necessary.
Maintenance encompasses two main activities:
Looking - Inspecting the building to assess its condition, noting any problems or areas of concern and seeking advice to determine whether it might be necessary to carry out repairs.
Doing - Carrying out specific tasks such as cleaning drains and clearing debris from gutters and downpipes.
Maintenance is the process of slowing down the rate of decay by keeping the fabric of a building in good condition.
