We suggest getting your building checked every couple of years by a professional, to maintain it.
Roofs – Regular inspections of your roof are recommended: if damp exists, fungal attack can cause dry rot and weaken the timbers in the roof. Roof coverings are mainly Scotch slate. This is a great material, and it should be sourced and used to replace any broken or missing slates. Flat roofs were traditionally covered with lead sheeting or zinc, and these materials should be used for repairs.
Chimneys and skews – Chimneys are the most vulnerable to weathering. In most cases the chimney pots become loose in storms, letting water into open joints and leaving the stonework damaged, loose and in need of repair.
External walls – Any loose or missing pointing on a traditional stone building in Edinburgh should be repointed in lime mortar, and any stones that are cracked or loose should be replaced with natural sandstone, matching the original dressing and shape as closely as possible.
Roof drainage – We suggest using rope access or a cherry picker to inspect gutters for any leaking joints or blockages, which can cause water ingress through open joints in the pointing. Also check cast iron pipes for any cracks or blockages that can damage the stonework; these should be replaced with the correct materials, matching like for like.
How to maintain your building
A checklist for your building:
Roofs
- Loose masonry removed using rope access, to prevent it falling into the street.
- Check for any missing slates, lead flashing, or failure of roof coverings.
Chimneys
- Coping stones and chimney cans displaced, missing or broken.
- Pointing missing on the chimney breast.
- Lead flashing becoming loose or missing, and vegetation.
Roof drainage
- Check for leaks in gutters, at joints or from rainwater pipes.
- Overflowing gutters and blockages from leaves or vegetation.
Cornice stones
- Check for missing pointing in cornice joints.
- Cracks in stonework caused by cement repairs, and the risk of falling into the street.
External walls
- Loose or missing pointing on exposed stonework.
- Excessive erosion of stonework underneath gutters.
- Cracked stonework and failed cement repairs allowing water to ingress.
External paintwork
- Flaking gloss paintwork on sash and case windows.
- Failed paintwork on cast iron pipes.
- Missing burnt sand mastic on windows.