EXTERNAL CHECKING LIST - POINTS OF INFORMATION

The following information regarding the external parts of a building should be checked periodically as if left un-maintained can lead to damp related problems internally. One of the most common faults is the homeowner spending time and money on internal refurbishment works and ignoring external maintenance of the building itself.

1. We advise inspection of all rainwater goods i.e. gutters, down spouts and gullies on a wet day to ensure their water tightness. All down spouts must be connected to a gully. All gullies should be free flowing and not blocked with debris, leaves etc. All gutters should be cleaned out annually. Leaves will cause blockages and allow gutters to over flow, saturating walls that can lead to penetrating damp and timber decay such as wet or dry rot to timbers in contact with such damp walls.
2. Any lichen growth on walls above the original DPC indicates EITHER leaking rainwater goods and/or high ground levels that are enabling rainwater to permanently saturate the wall. This can lead to problems of penetrating dampness.
   
   LICHEN FOUND ON EXTERNAL BRICKWORK
   
   REMEDY: Inspect rainwater goods on a wet day for obvious leaks and to ensure all ground levels are at least 150mm below the original damp proof course level? Remove lichen from wall and to apply a water repellent onto the brickwork face to prevent any further reoccurrence.
3. To ensure that all pointing (mortar between bricks) and rendering is in good condition and free from cracks to prevent penetrating moisture taking place. Seal all cracks in the mortar joints and rendering to prevent the ingress of moisture.
4. To ensure all external ground levels are kept to a minimum of 150mm (equivalent to two bricks) below an original DPC to prevent the bridging of the original damp course and to prevent penetrating dampness. Do not bank soil beds up against external walls or leave for long periods of time rubbish bags etc against walls.
5. Paint covering brickwork should be removed if at all possible as paint hinders the natural drying out process of the brick.
6. All external rendering must have a bell cast formed above the ORIGINAL damp course and inspections for hairline cracks within it should be undertaken. All cracks should be sealed to prevent penetrating dampness. Any large areas of rendering that is in poor condition and is addled/perished should be removed and re-rendered with a water inhibitor in the mix.
7. Penetrating damp can lead to problems of timber decay internally such as wet or dry rot and insect attack. It is therefore essential to prevent dampness entering the property in the first instance.