If you have a historic home, there may be surprises when you start to do renovations to exteriors. One of the problems that you may find is that water damage goes far beyond the façade and deep into the interior of the structure. When doing repairs, you want the help of a good restoration service, and want to do repairs to update the exterior without disturbing the historical appearance of the architecture. The following guide will help you with making good decisions when repairing water damage to historic exteriors:
Assessing the Exterior and Exposing Areas That Have Serious Water Damage That Needs Repairs
The first step in repairing the exterior of your historic home is assessing the damage. First, you want to go around and look for obvious signs of rot in wood, siding and other materials. Especially look around window and door casings, additions, flashing and anywhere there are cracks that have been sealed. You can also use a screwdriver or stick to poke around where you think there is damage. Once you have located the damage, remove materials to expose the structural woodwork and see if the damage does go past the exterior and into your home.
Doing the Proper Water Restoration and Mold Prevention Before Refinishing the Exterior
More often than not, the damage to the exterior goes beyond the exterior finish materials. It is a bad idea to try to do the restoration and repairs yourself. Work with a qualified water restoration service to help with the repairs and do mold removal and remediation to prevent serious problems from developing.
Being Aware of Building Standards and Requirements for Repairs When Restoring Historic Buildings
When you are repairing water damage to historic architecture, some of the materials you remove may expose outdated features. Usually, you do not have to make changes to meet building code requirements, unless you expose the framing or make changes to mechanical systems. Therefore, anywhere you do repairs will have to be updated to meet modern building standards, which could include updating structural framing, adding railings and making changes to windows and doors.
Choosing the Right Materials to Replace Historic Façades and Add Features to Meet Modern Building Code Requirements
When you are making changes to the historic façade, there are materials that need to be replaced. Today, there are historically correct architectural products made of modern materials like vinyl, concrete composites, and fiberglass. These products can be used for everything from siding to wood trim, moldings can structural columns. Consider using these types of materials to make the exterior more resistant to water damage and add a house wrap moisture barrier for extra protection from water damage.
With the right help planning repairs, water damage can be repaired, and exterior finishes improved without making drastic changes to the design of historic buildings. If you have serious water damage problems with the exterior of your historic home, contact a water restoration service like Rapid Response Restoration to ensure the repairs are done right.
Moving forward and repairing your home can be really difficult, especially if you aren't exactly a DIY enthusiast. However, the fact of the matter is that there are all kinds of repairs that you can take care of on your own, helping you to design a home that truly feels custom. From adding crown molding to your house to repairing an old water leak, restoring your home is as easy as taking a look around and knowing which projects to undertake. From repainting the interior of your home to knowing what to do about issues with your plumbing, taking the opportunity to completely transform your home is easier with a repair and restoration contractor.