There are numerous reasons for the building owner to commission the restoration of an existing building. However, the fundamental reason concerns the obsolescence factor.
In the UK – and to a large extent Europe – the main construction materials for the built environment of the previous two centuries have tended to be brick, stone and flint – all of which benefit from longevity. Combined with continued re-use of buildings, there is today a substantial percentage of aging building stock that suffers from varying degrees of external and internal obsolescence.
The deterioration in the pointing element of the construction will eventually lead to the poor performance of the building as a whole. With the lower life cycle of the mortar element in relation to the other materials used in construction, its periodic replacement is vital to secure the general longevity of the building. The failure of the mortar will result in:
- The ingress of water into the external fabric of the building and subsequently internally for pre-cavity constructed buildings.
- Frost damage, indicated by the shelling of the face of the construction materials
- Structural damage that will eventually affect the building fabric if the two previous stages of obsolescence are not addressed. Subsequently, costly reconstruction may be required. Building owners commission the restoration of a building for various reasons as a result of obsolescence:
Repointing will aid with:
- Conservation – the preservation of historical building stock
- Image – for commercial organisations, to maintain the aesthetic value of their buildings
- Pollution – inner-city building stock suffers from the effects of motor vehicles and the legacy of past industries
- Property value – the performance and aesthetics of the building greatly affects the value of the property
- Re-sale – poor building performance will affect the re-sale of the property, and in turn its re-sale value.
In the majority of cases, the costs of works associated with the restoration of a building are relatively insignificant in relation to the benefits that can be achieved. In particular, the increase in value of the property and the subsequent re-sale factors, but also the enhanced image of the property and the reduction in risk of potential costly structural defects.
Unfortunately, there is a significant risk to undertaking a restoration of this type. With the visual impact of external works to a building and the inherent perception of its maintenance, care must be taken to ensure the company undertaking the works possess the necessary skills and experience. Today there are too many examples of poor workmanship.
Before
After
Deteriorated wall
Completed repointing