Environmental stabilising

Once the investigations have been completed and the data analysed a strategy can be developed to stabilise the building environment.

For the holistic and sustainable conservation and preservation of the building, it is important to stabilise the historic building environment. Various building works may be needed to prevent further water penetration and to maximise ventilation to damp-affected materials.

Correction of building defects, combined with measures to dry the wet areas and to protect the decorative interior finishes by allowing ventilation of the wet areas, will prevent further deterioration.

Until the drying out of the building fabric and its associated timber elements is completed, other actions to remedy the deterioration problems will be ineffective and a waste of time and resources. Continuous long-term monitoring and preventative maintenance of the building may be necessary and will:

• provide information on the state of moisture equilibrium and balance (moisture sources, reservoirs and sinks) in the building environment, building fabric and structural elements as the building dries out;
• allow coordination and scheduling of work stages to prioritise the remedial work to achieve acceptable levels of moisture in the masonry and timber to prevent future deterioration problems; and
• allow a cost-effective, long-term holistic approach to environmental stabilisation of the historic environment.