A Stitch in time…….Making sure that our homes and buildings are in good working order can seem like a real chore, and most of us consider that the bricks and mortar will survive without any checking or general regular maintenance. Many of us will regularly service and MOT our cars, mow the lawn, and repair fences when needed, but spend little time ensuring that our largest

A small amount of time and a small amount of regularinvestment can limit the need for or extent of, major and often highly expensive repairs. It is also wise to understand the construction of the building, and to ensure that any repairs or alterations are

First StepsThe fi rst step in good management and maintenanceis to carry out regular inspections of the building.This can either be done yourself with a minimumof knowledge, or can often be commissioned.For example, churches and most public buildings

and most expensive asset is in good working order.

undertaken using the appropriatematerials, to ensure that the building continuesto work as it should. Too often, repairs areundertaken using different materials, resulting in different parts of the building working against each other, rather than in harmony, resulting in long-term damage, possibly with larger costs to put this right.

If you undertake the survey yourself, and you identifyproblems you may not understand, you may require

Finding the Right HelpIt can be daunting task to fi nd the right professional to help in this work. Any person you employ to undertake this work should be independent andobjective, and not identifying works to be undertaken unnecessarily. Architects, surveyors and structural engineers are usually relatively easy to fi nd, but they need to have experience in the type of building you live in (for example, if it is a timber-framed house, then the person should have experience of timberframed buildings and their repair). Always ask for references, and see if you can view other works they have undertaken, to ensure that you are happy with the quality of work.

are inspected every fi ve years, with faults and possible problems identifi ed at this stage, with a time-scale for the repair or issue to be addressed, depending on the severity of the problem – this also allows time to cost the work, and to save some money to help pay for any work needed.

the services of a suitably qualified

professional - try to find one who has

knowledge and understanding ofhistoric buildingsand their repair,and preferably one who has been recommended bysome one you know. This means you can also checktheir work before employing them.

If you are buying on old house, money invested in a full building survey, rather than just the bank valuationreport, can help identify potential issues you may have missed, and would not be picked up in the basic report.

Carrying out your own inspection

Various websites and organisations provide free advice through leafl ets and articles, which can often be of great help – details of some can be found at the end of this leafl et.

faults and defects in the roof and/or gutters/drainpipes.

It is best to prepare a fi le, with previous inspections, details of the building’s physical history, plans of the building, and some sketch elevations. Using these, together with a torch, and a camera, start outside, examine the roof, and work downwards, looking for slipped slates and ridge tiles, warping or bowing in the roof, condition of windows,

Any planned periodic inspection needs some thought, preparation and organisation. Firstly, it is always good to carry out an inspection during or straight after some heavy rain, this will help identify

pointing and brickwork, and gutters and drainpipes. Then move inside the building, starting in the attic, and go through the house room by room. Use a small knife to test woodwork – where it is soft, it may need either repairing or replacing. The leafl et “Maintenance Checklist” will take you through your building thoroughly, and help you make a list of things which need to be done, together with a time-scale for them.

Both the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) can provide a list of conservation-accredited professionals in your area. It may also be worth contacting the local Conservation Offi cer.

For further information and advice on the historic environment you can contact us in the following ways:

Email:conservation@wyreforestdc.gov.ukTelephone:

Conservation Practice Note 9

General maintenance -an introduction

Wyre Forest District CouncilWyre Forest District Council

This document can be made available in other languages (including British Sign Language)and alternative formats(large print, audio tape,computer disc and braille)on request fromWyre Forest District Councilby telephoning 01562 732928or by e-mailingworcestershirehub@wyreforestdc.gov.uk

It is important to note that when working with Listed Buildings, special consent (Listed Building Consent) may be required for some works. It is advisable to check with the Council’s Conservation Offi cer prior to starting any such works.

English Heritage publish specialist technicaladvisory leafl ets which are available free fromwww.helm.org.uk

The Society for Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) have information on traditional construcionmethods, and hold training days and courses for their members, detail of which can be found at www.spab.org.uk

Further Information

Quick Checklist:This is an example of some of the items you should look at when undertaking a survey - however, the leafl et Maintenance Checklist gives a more thorough guide.

ExteriorRoofs: Are the tiles/ slates in good order, and is the pointing on the ridge in good order? Are all lead fl ashings working and tied into the building properly?Walls: Are the bricks in good order, and is the pointing still working? Are there any areas whichneed some attention?Windows & Doors: Are these all working, and is the timber still good? Do they need rubbing down and re-painting? Is the putty around the windows still working?Drains: Are all the gutters and downpipes clear, and do they discharge water as they should? Are they damaged in any way?

Interior Attics:- Can you see daylight through any part of the roof? Is there any evidence of water leaking?Windows & doors: Are these all working? do they need rubbing down and repainting? Do they needoil on the hinges? Are they damaged?Fireplaces: Do the chimneys need sweeping? Pipe-work: Are there any leaks? Walls: Is there any evidence of damp or mould?Do they sound “hollow”? If timber-framed, are thereany cracks in the timber?

Writing: Wyre Forest District CouncilEconomic Prosperity and Place Directorate Wyre Forest HouseFinepoint Way Kidderminster DY11 7WF

01562 732536