How to maintain your traditional home this winter

Maintaining your traditional home is more important than ever during the wetter, winter months. The cold and rainy weather can cause a lot of damage to buildings if they’re not properly protected.

If you own a traditional home or care for a traditional building, discover some simple steps you can take to stay safe and warm in the winter without damaging your traditional home.

Ventilation

Traditionally built homes are largely made up of natural materials which let moisture pass through without getting trapped. Allowing this free movement of moisture is an important part of maintaining your home.

Poor ventilation can lead to:

• damp walls
• crumbling mortar, peeling paint, and damaged masonry or brickwork
• rotting timbers
• outbreaks of insect attack
• mould

To prevent ventilation issues, keep any grilles and vents clear. This is particularly important, especially on the sub-floor of your home, where rising ground levels, vegetation, and over-painting can obstruct your home’s natural ventilation systems.

Keep hearths and flues open too. They are a crucial part of moisture control and ventilation. If they’re not in use, cap the chimney with a well-ventilated cowl.

Windows

Traditional sash and case windows are very well suited to the Scottish climate and are extremely durable. They can have a lifespan of more than 100 years if maintained properly. However, in the winter months, it is important for homeowners to take extra care in window maintenance.

If the paint is breaking down, the exposed timber is more vulnerable to decay, especially with the increased winter moisture. Be sure to repaint as quickly as possible to minimise the damage. But be careful not to paint your windows shut.

Where windows have been painted shut, carefully cut through the paint using a craft knife. After repairs, make sure to seal all shutters and windows properly.

Roofs

Many traditional buildings in Scotland have roofs made from Scottish slate or pantiles. These are long-lasting materials – slate can last up to 150 years or more. Some roofs are also covered with thatch or corrugated iron, and flat roofs can be found on many traditional buildings, particularly tenements.

Most heat escapes from the roof of a building. Any water that gets in through the roof can make its way down through the rest of your home.

Before the onset of winter, inspect your roof for any issues. Look at the inside as well as the outside of your roof, as evidence of leaks might help identify potential external problems. After any storms or gales, always check for loose or slipped slates or pantiles, and make sure thatched roofs are still intact.

If major work is required, use a local contractor experienced in traditional techniques. Organisations like the National Federation of Roofing Contractors are a valuable source of information to get you started.

Gutters and pipes

Pipes, guttering, and other rainwater goods are essential to the well-being of your traditional home. Since they direct water off and away from your building, poorly-functioning rainwater systems often cause serious internal and external damage. This could leave you with costly repairs.

There are lots of signs to watch out for that tell you your rainwater goods or drainage might need a bit of TLC.

Outside this might include:

• plant or algae growth
• eroded mortar joints or masonry
• damp staining on walls
• failed render, i.e. splitting and cracking
• wet rot in external joinery
• damage to foundations
• build-up of water in drains

Inside this might include:

• damp and mouldy patches on plasterwork, walls or ceilings
• decay of timber skirting and panelling
• dry rot in structural and concealed timber
• musty smelling odour

To prevent these issues, regularly inspect your rainwater goods, clearing out vegetation and debris. In the winter, turn off outdoor pipes if possible. To help prevent a burst pipe, be sure all pipes are properly insulated.

De-icing salts

During the winter months, many of us get rid of ice on our pathways using products like de-icing salts. However, salt spreading can cause problems for your traditional building such as:

• corrosion of metal structures like gates, railings, grills and vents, steel frames, cast iron rainwater goods
• damage to stone walls, mortars, brickwork, and paints, through delamination, scaling, flaking, fracturing or splitting

To avoid this, homeowners should remove snow and ice manually whenever possible and avoid de-icing salts when practical and safe to do so.

When using de-icing salts, use the less-damaging calcium or magnesium chloride salts. Avoid using sodium chloride, which has the worst effect on traditional materials.

If cold weather is expected, spread salt before freezing conditions. This helps to stop ice from accumulating, so less de-icing salt will be needed later.

How to care for your older home

Download our short guide on maintaining your home.

For more expert advice on caring for older buildings, explore our building advice and free publications. 

Learn more about the traditional skills that built Scotland  and discover 4 great reasons to learn one yourself.

About the authors

Maddisen Fostyni is a student from Arcadia University, USA. She was on placement with the Engine Shed to develop skills in outreach, education, and content development.

Mary Alice is a student from Arcadia University, USA. She was on placement with the Engine Shed to develop skills in outreach, education, and content development.