When it comes to period properties, it’s vital to keep them in good condition. However, planning repairs on an older building can be daunting. You might be worried that building restoration work might damage its existing charm and aesthetic. But don’t worry, with BRC Leeds, you’re in good hands…
Make sure you have permission
Before going ahead with any restoration, it’s important to check whether or not your period property is listed. If it is, there may be restrictions on the amount of repair work you can do.
Listed buildings are categorised into three tiers, Grade II, Grade II* and Grade I. For Grade II and II*, you’ll usually be able to carry out all interior and exterior repair work such as stone restoration, without requesting permission beforehand.
A Grade I listed building, however, is a property of exceptional interest, which means that even specific interior details like doors or furniture will need assessing before any repair work.
Find an appropriate professional contractor
Fortunately, it’s possible to maintain your property’s period look and ensure it remains structurally sound during the process.
The first step in renovating your period property is to find an appropriate professional contractor who is experienced in heritage building restoration. Search for someone who specialises in traditional techniques and materials, such as lime mortar or slate roofing.
A contractor who understands the history of the building and has experience working on similar structures will be better able to make repairs without compromising the original features of your property.
Assess the damage whilst maintaining the character of your period property
When a professional assesses damage on a period property, they should be sensitive to its unique characteristics while still ensuring that all safety regulations are met.
For example, if an exterior wall needs repair due to water damage, the contractor should check for structural weakness first before removing any stonework unnecessarily.
Exterior repairs can often be carried out with minimal invasion or damage to the existing period work. This could mean some minor pointing work on the external walls, brick repair, or even just a good clean.
Preserve the original features
When making any kind of major change — such as altering or replacing the exterior brickwork —the contractor should always strive to use materials that match those used originally in order to maintain visual consistency throughout the home.
For example, if you have a period property with damaged masonry, BRC Leeds will replace the eroding masonry with new stonework, taking care to replicate the exact contours of the original carefully.
Your property may not even need any restoration work, sometimes, a good facade cleaning service will do the trick to restore your property back to its former glory!
Understand your home’s architectural history
Before beginning any repairs on a period property, it is important to be familiar with the architectural history of the house. There are a few ways to do this. Firstly, you can examine local historical documents, or contact your local historical society or library to find out more information about your property.
You can also talk to previous owners to gauge valuable information on the property, and any previous repairs that have been done. This knowledge helps ensure that any repairs made match the existing style as closely as possible.
Professional repairs with BRC Leeds
If you’re searching for professional, quality restoration work for your period property, look no further than BRC Leeds. With over 50 years of experience, and a team of skilled contractors, you can expect honest, and thoroughly knowledgeable service from us.
Period properties need careful attention to detail throughout the entire restoration process, and our team of professionals will be with you every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn more about our stone restoration, facade cleaning and pointing services in Leeds.