TAKING CARE OF YOUR HOUSE
Whether or not you own a designated heritage building, it is always important to do consistent maintenance in order to catch any issues before they get out of hand and lead to much more complex and costly problems. This is especially important for the conservation of historic properties in order to protect character defining elements which contribute to the heritage value of the house.
MAINTENANCE
WHAT IS MAINTENANCE?
MAINTENANCE is: Routine, cyclical, non-destructive actions necessary to slow the deterioration of a historic place. It entails periodic inspection; routine, cyclical, non-destructive cleaning; minor repair and refinishing operations; replacement of damaged or deteriorated materials that are impractical to save.*
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*As defined by the Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada
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HOW TO IDENTIFY ISSUES SUCH AS WATER DAMAGE, ROT, ETC
All wood will rot and deteriorate if exposed to the elements for long enough, but there are certain conditions that will make this process happen much more quickly. If wood is consistently wet or damp, and unprotected by either paint, oil or another protective material, this provides a perfect environment for fungus, mold and rot to thrive.
Some things to keep an eye out for are:
spongy, soft or crumbly wood.
ants or other insects that eat decaying wood.
peeling paint.
dark or discoloured wood.
MAKING A MAINTENANCE PLAN
Making a maintenance plan can help manage the ongoing task of taking care of your house and make it less daunting.
The Heritage Building Maintenance Manual, produced by the province of Manitoba is a great resource to help you make a maintenance plan for your house. It breaks down the process so it is manageable and includes checklists and worksheets that can be filled out seasonally.
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HAZARD ASSESSMENT
If you are working on your own property it is important to be aware of some of the risks you might be exposed to. This checklist can be used to assess what risks are involved with the maintenance project and how to manage them.
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DO IT YOURSELF OR HIRE A PROFFESIONAL?
Wether you decide to carry out maintenance on your house yourself or hire a professional will depend on your budget, skills, confidence, access to tools and time. It is important to assess all these factors before attempting to do maintenance on your property because leaving a job half finished can often lead to the problem getting worse.
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If there are any major repairs that need to be done, especially on character defining elements, then it is a good idea to hire a carpenter who is experienced in working on historic buildings. Some things you can do to have a good relationship with your carpenter/contractor are:
Be prepared; gather any documentation (current and historical) you have of the area that is being repaired.
Be specific; be clear and direct about the perimeters of the job to avoid any miscommunication.
Know your budget and discuss this together before starting work. Ask for a quote in writing so you're both on the same page.
Maintain an ongoing and open communication. Be respectful and ask questions. This is a great opportunity to learn more about your house and how it was built!
SUSTAINABILITY AND EFFICIENCY
There are lots of conflicting opinions about the environmental impact of conserving old houses versus building new to modern efficiency standards. However keeping an old house from being demolished and sent to land fill is definitely an environmentally responsible choice. Conserving a heritage property also keeps in mind the two other pillars of sustainability which are social equity and economic viability.
There are many fairly simple upgrades that can be done to improve the efficiency of your house such as insulating your attic or weather-sealing doors and windows. If any repairs need to be made, you can take the opportunity to upgrade with more modern and efficient materials that don't compromise the heritage value of the property.
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One of the biggest jobs in taking care of an old house is wooden windows, doors, siding and trim. These are often what make up the character defining elements of a building and are also the most common problem areas for leaks and drafts. If diligently maintained, exterior wood elements can last an extremely long time, but if neglected can deteriorate beyond repair very quickly. Replacing elements can be costly and will likely require hiring a specialized carpenter to carry out the work.
