Maintenance
Say bye-bye to buddleia - the architects in the NIEA Historic Buildings Unit are urging the owners of listed buildings to carry out essential maintenance works to their buildings. Friday 19 November marks the start of National Maintenance Week 2010.
National Maintenance Week is an annual campaign which highlights the need for regular building maintenance to be undertaken on traditional buildings. The official website
provides advice and guidance on maintaining all buildings.
As the Government agency charged with looking after Northern Ireland’s listed building stock, we are passing this information on to listed building owners and those charged with the upkeep and repair of our important building stock in an awareness-raising exercise. We are working in partnership with the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society which has produced a leaflet on the topic entitled 'Look before you leak'.
Drains - Ensure drains remain clear of leaves and other debris, to enable water to escape from a building quickly, particularly during heavy downpours.
Roofs - Check that lead-work and roof slating is in good condition and able to withstand the wind as well as the rain. If anything is loose or worn, water will find its way in.
Gutters - Ensure these are free from moss, leaves and other debris - and all properly connected up - to give water a fast exit from the building. Remember that damp is the primary cause of decay in listed buildings.
Pointing - Monitor the pointing and render of listed buildings regularly.
Chimneys - Poor flashing on chimney breasts can let water stream into a property - this is a common problem area.
Departmental Policy for listed buildings in Northern Ireland is contained in Annex D: of Planning Policy Statement 6 ('The upkeep and repair of listed buildings').
We want you to contact us if you come across buildings which may be listed and in a poor state of repair.
The Department also publishes a register of Built Heritage at Risk in Northern Ireland (BHARNI) which seeks to highlight redundant historic buildings and those otherwise at risk.
“Stave off decay by daily care, to prop a perilous wall or mend a leaky roof” - William Morris 1877.