Deterioration of cladding behind wall-mounted attachments

Deterioration of cladding behind attached timber or brackets for wall-mounted attachments

Causes

Water trapped

Listed under: Exterior, fixtures and fittings, telecommunication systems, walls, durability, corrosion, rust

Cause

Water trapped

Repair

  • remove the attachments and repair the wall cladding as necessary. This may involve reapplying any coating to the cladding, or making more significant repairs such as replacement of rotted material, repair to holes or any other work required to restore the integrity of the cladding
  • many cladding manufacturers recommend that their products be cleaned and checked at least once every 6 to 12 months to remove dirt and any organic growths and to maximise durability. Product warranties typically only apply where this is carried out. Fixing anything hard against the wall may make regular checking/cleaning difficult or impossible to achieve
  • wherever possible, avoid fixing attachments to exterior walls
  • anything to be fixed to a wall (a garden hose etc.) should be on a framework so it sits away from the wall, or can be swivelled away from the wall to allow water to drain off the wall properly and the wall to be visible and accessible for cleaning
  • fasteners should be appropriate for the environment. As this is likely to be an exposed setting, they should ideally be stainless steel, and 316 stainless steel in locations close to the coast or geothermal areas. Fixings could be bedded in a perimeter bead of sealant to support weathertightness
  • check and clean the wall at least once a year

Back to top