Heritage Building Preservation Knowledge Base
Welcome to our Knowledge Base that contains articles and insights on how to specifically care for Cornish lime, granite, slate and cob built buildings. If you have any specific questions then please fill out the contact form below and we will do our best to answer your queries.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: the information provided within the Knowledge Base is for guidance only, you should seek specialist advice that is specific to your project as each individual building, even those that share grounds within a single curtilage, will often require their very own, very unique specifications when considering any form of repair or conservation works.
Lime mortar information
- Types of lime – basic information
- Understanding NHL lime mortars
- How an NHL / lime putty mortar mix can support the drying of granite stone walls – external link to a scientific study
- Why are lime mortars more ‘breathable’ than cement? – external link to a scientific study
- Sacrificial or Failing? The Untold Story of Heritage Lime Render & Salt Contamination
- Masonry Pore Size: The Impact on Capillary Action & Vapour Diffusion (Putty vs NHl vs Cement)
Dampness within buildings
- Understanding damp in granite built cottages
- Understanding Interstitial Condensation: Internal Wall Insulation
- Hygroscopic salts – damp patches on walls and chimney breasts
- Heritage Appropriate Damp Proofing Techniques
- Dampness within chimneys and common defects
- Chimney thermodynamics & air flow – how log burners cause damp
- Why chimneys should not be removed or capped
- How vapour pressure effects heritage buildings
- Damp Proofing Encapsulation vs Traditional Heritage Conservation
Information relating to home buying
- How Homebuyer Surveys and Mortgage Requirements May Funnel Buyers Towards Damp-Proofing Solutions
- The costs of renovating a cottage in Cornwall – a comprehensive guide
- How rising damp & condensation are misdiagnosed – moisture entrapment & damp meters
- How low cost Homebuyer Surveys can end up costing you £20’000+
Lime wash, paints and sealants
Other building defects and conservation works
- How much do chimney repairs and rebuilds cost in Cornwall?
- Caring for cob walled Cornish Cottages
- How to identify and treat woodworm in heritage buildings
- How to clean Cornish granite masonry
- Choosing ventilation for heritage buildings
- Air flow vs vapour permeability in heritage roofs
- Floor coverings for heritage buildings
- Understanding French drains
- French Drains vs Surface Water Drains
Useful links
Respected information sources and training providers that we recommend:
- Ross Charters – Damp resolution expert based near Bath – Link
- Russel Rafton – Dry Fix Preservation – Damp resolution expert based near York – Link
- Graham Coleman – Leading UK damp expert – Link
- Neil Marsden Senior – Newcastle based damp remediation expert – Link
- SPAB – The Society For The Protection Of Ancient Buildings – Link
- Historic England – Link
- Carrington Lime – training centre (highly recommended) – Link
- TYWI – training centre – Link
- Mike Wye – Sustainable building expert based in Devon – Link
Say hello…
Would you like to have a quick chat about any issues you have with your home? We absolutely love to chat about old buildings, but as a small team of two, we’re often unable to answer the phone.. so please, fill in the adjacent forms and we’ll be in touch ASAP (not dreckly, promise!)..
If you require a super speedy chat to tackle an emergency, then please give us a call on 01326 459202
Request a call back…