7 warning signs your home needs some TLC
Published 20th April 2023
Fife has many fantastic traditional buildings that add character to its towns and villages. A traditional building is one that was built before 1919 using natural materials like solid masonry walls (not cavity walls), timber windows, and slate or pantiles (fired clay tiles) on the roof. These buildings are at least a hundred years old, sometimes much older, and will last for hundreds more if we look after them properly.
If you own a traditional building, it is important that you keep it dry and well-maintained as water can quickly cause damage that is expensive to repair. A damp building also feels colder than a dry building.
It is also important to use the right building materials and techniques for repairs, as some modern materials can make problems worse. For example, cement mortar can damage stone and create damp problems so you should use a traditional lime mortar instead.
Here are 7 common signs that your traditional building needs some TLC:
- Leaking gutters
- Slipped or missing slates or roof tiles
- Flaking paint or rotten timber in doors and windows
- Crumbling stonework and missing mortar
- Cracked harling or render
- Plants growing on the building (especially buddleia which has deep roots and can grow very fast)
- Problems with damp or mould inside the building (which can have many causes, including all of the above)
There are lots of useful websites with advice on how to maintain your traditional building, including information on the correct materials and techniques to use, how to find a contractor with the right skills, energy efficiency improvements, and how to work with your neighbours:
