Maintaining My Home

aerated concrete has lots of closed air pockets. It is not difficult to work with – it can be cut and shaped with hand tools. Aerated concrete panels are often manufactured as precast units with steel reinforcing for structural strength. Its light weight places it at greater risk of impact damage than some other types of cladding

when a panel is damaged, contact the manufacturer, supplier or installer for advice. This type of cladding is typically installed with proprietary mortar mixes and coated with a proprietary finish such as an acrylic polymer coating

for very small areas of damage, some manufacturers provide a pre-mixed, water-based compound that can be used as a filler and for repairing minor cracks and chips

larger areas of damage should be repaired by the original installer so the warranty is not compromised

where steel reinforcing is exposed, anti-corrosion paint should be applied

where damage is significant the affected panel may need to be replaced by the original installer

aerated concrete contains crystalline silica which is a health hazard when inhaled. Wear gloves, eye protection and a respiratory mask when cutting it.

if the construction is relatively new (within the last few years) call back the builder/installer

the framing will need to be strengthened to the point where movement is not a problem

if you pay someone to do the work, because work on exterior walls is restricted building work it should be carried out or supervised by a licensed building practitioner

the work will require a building consent if the durability failure was within 15 years of construction. Contact your local building consent authority (local council)

replace the panels

if the panels met Building Code requirements (remained durable for at least 15 years) and are replaced with a comparable material in the same position then a building consent is not required

even if building work does not require a building consent, it must still meet or exceed the minimum requirement in the Building Code. A building’s level of compliance with the Building Code must not be adversely affected once the exempt building work is completed

if you pay someone to do the work, because work on exterior walls is restricted building work it should be carried out or supervised by a licensed building practitioner

if the construction is relatively new (within the last few years) call back the builder/installer

the framing will need to be strengthened

if you pay someone to do the work, because work on exterior walls is restricted building work it should be carried out or supervised by a licensed building practitioner

the work will require a building consent if the durability failed within 15 years of construction. Contact your local building consent authority (local council)