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Climate change and other environmental shifts can impact the integrity of historic and heritage buildings. Understanding how fluctuations could affect your structure can better prepare owners to take mitigating action. A number of issues were raised by the government’s 2017 Climate Change Risk Assessment that, if left unaddressed, could have a significant impact on historic structures in the UK. If your property is affected, read more below or contact us to arrange expect consultancy services.
Rainfall is increasing, especially during the winter, resulting in greater flooding, rising sea levels, and water intrusion. This poses a serious hazard to our historic structures. Historical rainwater systems may not be able to handle heavy rain, which makes it easy for water to flood the interior and compromise the building structurally. To avoid this, it is essential to maintain and clean drainage systems regularly. It may even be necessary to update your drains.
Over the past century, the average temperature has increased by 1 °C. Although this may not appear to be a large rise, the consequences are profound. Buildings can have structural problems as a result of temperature changes because different materials react to temperature changes differently. Increasing temperatures can hasten the degradation of materials and lead to shrinkage of natural construction materials, particularly in drought conditions. When historic structures are converted for modern usage, air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems are typically installed as standard equipment to assist stabilise a building’s temperature.
A more humid climate, prompted by the increases in both rainfall and temperature, is conducive to fungus growth and insect and pest infestations. They all have the potential to seriously harm a building’s structure, with fauna growth on a historic building’s exterior particularly problematic. A building’s humidity can also cause damp symptoms and destroy historic structures.
Strong winds and storm conditions, pose a threat to buildings as well as to the security of those who occupy or are in proximity to them. Historic roofs are at greater risk of sustaining damage, and falling tiles are a health and safety risk. Storm-force winds may also smash windows, awnings, and other features, and if trees fall, they may inflict additional harm to building exteriors.
The government is looking into potential remedies due to climate change posing such a serious risk to historically valuable buildings and landscapes. Another key area of focus for their research is the danger of wind and rain to building materials.
For expert advice and consultancy services regarding climate and environmental impacts on your heritage or cob property, call us at Holman & Co. today for a no-obligation discussion.
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