Lead flashing is installed by chasing a 25mm groove into a mortar joint, dressing the lead into the chase, securing it with lead wedges at 450mm centres, pointing the joint, and finishing with patination oil. Individual pieces should never exceed 1.5 metres in length, laps should be at least 100mm, and Code 4 lead suits […]
Author Archives: Tony HIBBS
17
Aug
Aug
Quick Answer The best repointing mix depends entirely on your property’s age. Using the wrong one can trap moisture and damage the brick, so getting this right matters more than most homeowners realise. Pre-1920s Lime mortar Stays breathable and flexible Inter-war Gauged mix A blend of lime and cement Post-1950s Cement mortar Suits cavity-wall construction […]
14
Aug
Aug
Quick Answer You can clean moss off your roof safely by brushing away the loose growth, treating it with a roof-safe moss killer, rinsing gently, and clearing your gutters afterwards, never with a pressure washer. If you’ve spotted green patches spreading across your tiles, moss might look harmless, but Ashford’s Kent weather gives it everything […]
12
Aug
Aug
Quick Answer Repointing replaces worn-out mortar between bricks with fresh mortar, restoring a wall’s strength and weatherproofing. It matters because failing mortar lets water in, which leads to damp, structural weakening, and higher repair costs the longer it’s left. It helps with penetrating damp specifically, not rising damp or condensation, and when done properly, lime […]
11
Aug
Aug
The earliest signs of damp in Victorian and Edwardian homes are a musty smell near skirting boards, often noticeable before any visible staining, followed by tide marks low on solid walls, crumbling lime mortar patched with modern cement, and peeling paint or plaster. These properties were built to breathe through solid walls and lime mortar, […]
Rising Damp, Condensation, Penetrating Damp
Rising Damp vs Penetrating Damp vs Condensation: What’s the Difference?
10
Aug
Aug
Rising damp shows as a tide mark and white salts on the bottom metre of a ground-floor wall, and stays roughly the same regardless of the weather. Penetrating damp is a defined patch that appears or worsens during and after rain, usually linked to an external defect such as a broken gutter or a slipped […]
10
Aug
Aug
Quick answer Damp proofing costs in Ashford typically range from £150 for a basic condensation fix to £4,500 or more for a full rising damp treatment with replastering. Damp proofing costs depend heavily on the damp type, the size of the affected wall area, and your property’s age and construction. Getting a proper survey first […]
30
Jul
Jul
To fix a leaking gutter joint, unclip the union piece, clean both gutter ends and the fitting, replace the rubber seal if it’s hardened or cracked, refit the union to the correct expansion mark, and run a thin bead of exterior-grade sealant inside the joint as a backup layer. Most repairs take 30 to 60 […]
29
Jul
Jul
Quick Answer Repointing typically costs £25–£90 per m² for standard cement mortar, rising to £60–£100 per m² for lime mortar on period properties. A full property repointing usually costs £2,000 to £9,000, depending on the property’s size, mortar type, and access. If you’ve spotted crumbling, cracked, or missing mortar between your bricks, you’re probably wondering […]
29
Jul
Jul
As a general rule, twice a year- once in late spring and once in autumn- covers most homes. Properties surrounded by trees or in exposed, storm-prone areas often require more frequent attention. Leave gutters blocked for too long, and you risk overflowing water, damp patches on walls, and lasting damage to your roofline. If it’s […]
- 1
- 2