Maintenance and Repairs
Important DOs and DON'Ts
Do - carry out regular inspection and maintenance
Don't - allow serious defects to remain untreated
Do - be aware of safety and wear protective gloves when clearing gutters and drains
Don't - undertake routine maintenance work at high level unless your are accompanied and have suitable equipment. If in doubt always seek help from a professional
Do - seek advice from qualified professionals
Don't - expect independent advice from someone who has something to sell you
Do - repair rather than restore or replace
Don't - repair in unsympathetic materials as this can cause more maintenance problems in future!
Do - respect the building's character and history and make sure the work is sympathetic to it
Don't - attempt to ‘improve' by altering the original appearance
Do - avoid unnecessary work
Don't - clad walls with artificial stone or other modern materials
Do - study the history of the building and how it has change
Don't - use unsuitable ‘off the peg' architectural elements
Do - analyse the cause of defects
Don't - rely on commercially based claims for any product or technique
Do - use only traditional materials and proven techniques
Don't - use so-called ‘maintenance free' products
Do - re-use materials salvaged from your on building
Don't - waste re-usable materials
Do - remedy previous bad repairs
Don't - bodge repairs!
Do - remove disfiguring alterations or additions
Don't - remove or demolish any original elements
Do - adopt correct priorities for repairs
Don't - replace windows or doors in non-original patterns or materials
Do - use only reliable contractors or craftspeople
Don't - employ anyone without seeing references or inspecting their work
Do - obtain necessary planning and legal consents
Don't - do any work without required consent.
© SPAB 2007
