Stone veneer – blocked or missing ventilation slots (top of wall)

Causes

Slots blocked by dirt, insects

Slots sealed/blocked during previous maintenance work

Ventilation slots not originally provided

Listed under: Exterior, masonry, stone, cladding, walls, mortar, wall cladding, solid stone and stone veneer

Cause

Slots blocked by dirt, insects

Repair

  • as with brick veneer walls, stone veneer walls need ventilation slots at the top of the wall for their successful drainage and drying performance. Address the blockage as soon as you become aware of it
  • using a bent wire or other tool, clear out the blockage until the vents are clear and allow the movement of air

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Cause

Slots sealed/blocked during previous maintenance work

Repair

  • if the maintenance work was done by a tradesperson in recent years, call them back to fix it
  • if the tradesperson is no longer available, using a bent wire or other tool, clear out the blockage until the vents are clear
  • if this does not work, contact a stonemason for advice. Look for a mason who has completed an apprenticeship, is well experienced and ideally holds a qualification such as the New Zealand Certificate in Stonemasonry. There is also a New Zealand Stonemasons Association who can help you find a mason

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Cause

Ventilation slots not originally provided

Repair

  • if the stone veneer was constructed within the last decade, call the builder back. You can take action for up to 10 years after building work is completed if implied warranties set out in the Building Act have not been met. These include requirements that work be done with reasonable care and skill
  • if the stone veneer is more than 10 years old, or the mason who constructed it is no longer around, contact a stonemason for advice. Look for a mason who has completed an apprenticeship, is well experienced and ideally holds a qualification such as the New Zealand Certificate in Stonemasonry. There is also a New Zealand Stonemasons Association who can help you find a mason

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