External walls

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Bay and oriel windows

A bay window starts at ground level, whilst an oriel starts at first floor level.

More about bay and oriel windows

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Lintels

Lintels support the walls above an opening and can suffer from damp in the walls around them.

How to protect your lintels

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Mullions

These are the vertical stones between windows, helping support the lintels above.

Maintaining your mullions

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External wall features

String courses, canopies, hoods, parapets, copings, cornices architraves, and cills.

What they do and how to maintain

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Cracks

These can be an indication of structural problems but many just indicate a need for repair.

Which cracks to worry about

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Rear walls

Less ornate than front walls. They still need maintenance to maintain the health of your building.

More about rear walls

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Stone defects

Stone does not last forever and can be damaged by damp, cement pointing, and unsuitable repairs. 

Dealing with stone defects

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Damp proof courses and basements

Maintain ventilation to keep lower stone walls dry.

Below ground level

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Front gutters

Plant growth and staining under the gutter indicate leaks and overflows which can damage timber.

Preventing damp from gutters

external wall focus.png

1. Bay and oriel windows

A bay window starts at ground level, whilst an oriel starts at first floor level.

More about bay and oriel windows

2. Lintels

Lintels support the walls above an opening and can suffer from damp in the walls around them.

How to protect your lintels

3. Mullions

These are the vertical stones between windows, helping support the lintels above.

Maintaining your mullions

4. External wall features

String courses, canopies, hoods, parapets, copings, cornices architraves, and cills.

What they do and how to maintain

5. Cracks

These can be an indication of structural problems but many just indicate a need for repair.

Which cracks to worry about

6. Rear walls

Less ornate than front walls. They still need maintenance to maintain the health of your building.

More about rear walls

7. Stone defects

Stone does not last forever and can be damaged by damp, cement pointing, and unsuitable repairs. 

Dealing with stone defects

8. Damp proof courses and basements

Maintain ventilation to keep lower stone walls dry.

Below ground level

9. Front gutters

Plant growth and staining under the gutter indicate leaks and overflows which can damage timber.

Preventing damp from gutters