What can happen /

Like aged skin, it becomes necessary for ageing and heritage listed sites to receive love and care through facade refurbishment. A complete overhaul or simple upgrade of certain features will ensure the building will withstand weathering and maintain a high quality appearance.

External damage to a facade, such as water ingress, leads to devastating effects on concrete, tiling and steel support structures. When moisture mixes with high levels of carbon dioxide and sulphates in the atmosphere, rust is encouraged to form and spread to cause corrosive damage. Excess exposure to moisture causes tiles to lift and rendering to crack, as well as contributing numerous structural problems. There are many indicators that a building’s facade needs refurbishment, with these common signs to look out for:

• Crumbling and cracking of rendering

• Cracking along structural supports and mortar

• Lifted tiles

• Lifted paintwork

• Fluid leaking from cracks and balconies

• Rust stains appearing

Unfortunately, many buildings suffer the extensive damage from water ingress or simply from poor maintenance. External damage from accidents and weathered materials commonly causes balconies, windows, cladding and render to quickly deplete in strength and quality.