The building envelope has to keep the water out

The last weeks of summer are the right moment to go over the building carefully. When the autumn rain sets in and the frost follows, it is the envelope — roof, facade, pointing and drainage — that takes the beating. What in August is an open joint or a blocked gutter can by February be moisture damage in the wall. An inspection now is cheap. Damage that has been allowed to develop over the winter rarely is.

Gutters and downpipes

Leaves, moss and grit collect in gutters through late summer. When the water cannot get away, it spills over the edge and runs down the facade — leaving staining, algae and, in time, frost damage in the masonry. We clean gutters and downpipes, check falls and joints, and repair any leaks. On properties where the gutters and flashings are copper or zinc, we check at the same time that the patina and the soldered seams are intact.

Roof and flashings

The first autumn storms are quick to find loose tiles and tired flashings. It is rarely in the middle of the roof plane that things go wrong — water gets in at the chimney, the rooflights, the valleys and the ridge. We go over the roof for slipped tiles, check the flashings and the torching, and put right whatever will not last the winter.

Facade and pointing

Open joints and cracks in the render are an open invitation to water. Once moisture gets in and freezes, it expands and breaks the material from within — and a small crack becomes a larger one. That is why late summer is the right time for repointing and minor facade repairs: the work should ideally be dry and cured before the first frost.

Plinth and drainage

Finally, we look down. The ground should fall away from the house, the downpipes should carry the water to the right place, and any land drain should be able to keep up. If water stands around the plinth all winter, it is only a matter of time before it finds its way into the basement.

An inspection takes a morning

Most of this can be established in a single morning — and most of it can be put right while it is still a small job. If you would like us to look over your property before autumn sets in properly, get in touch.