Maintaining My Home

lower the soil level so it is clear of the cladding and cut back foliage – the bottom of the cladding must be able to dry completely. Replace large plants that will regrow to repeat the problem. With suspended floors, ensure that the ground is contoured so water does not flow under the house

if there is any evidence that the cladding may be leaking, engage a registered building surveyor to report on the extent of the damage and the repair options. This applies especially to houses built from the mid 1970s to the mid 2000s

assuming the problem applies just to the paint, remove all loose paint, clean the cladding surface and allow to dry thoroughly

paint with a minimum two coats of good quality acrylic paint, including the bottom edge of the cladding

with EIFS cladding that has been recently installed, contact the installers. There may be particular maintenance/repair requirements that must be met for any warranties to remain valid. There may be restrictions on what the homeowner can do

lower the soil level so it is clear of the cladding – the bottom of the cladding must be able to dry completely. With suspended floors, ensure that the ground is contoured so water does not flow under the house

if there is any evidence that the cladding may be leaking, engage a registered building surveyor to report on the extent of the damage and the repair options. This applies especially to houses built from the mid 1970s to the mid 2000s

assuming the problem applies just to the paint, remove all loose paint, clean the cladding surface and allow to dry thoroughly

paint with a minimum two coats of good quality acrylic paint, including the bottom edge of the cladding and any back surface that is accessible

with EIFS cladding that has been recently installed, contact the installers. There may be particular maintenance/repair requirements that must be met for any warranties to remain valid. There may be restrictions on what the homeowner can do

break up and remove concrete or paving against the cladding, taking great care not to damage the cladding where concrete has stuck to it. Reform the ground surface so there is a gap between the base of the cladding and the ground. Ensure that rainwater will flow away from the building

if there is any evidence that the cladding may be leaking, engage a registered building surveyor to report on the extent of the damage and the repair options. This applies especially to houses built from the mid 1970s to the mid 2000s

assuming the problem applies just to the paint, remove all loose paint, clean the cladding surface and allow to dry thoroughly

paint with a minimum two coats of good quality acrylic paint, including the bottom edge of the cladding

with EIFS cladding that has been recently installed, contact the installers. There may be particular maintenance/repair requirements that must be met for any warranties to remain valid. There may be restrictions on what the homeowner can do

Engage a registered building surveyor to identify the source and location of the moisture and deal with that first. Owners can:

identify and fix leaky pipes. You can fix a broken downpipe that is discharging rainwater under the house yourself, but if the leak is in a waste pipe or drain, under law that must be fixed by a licensed or certifying plumber.

if surface water is getting under the house, lower the ground levels around the outside of the building and slope the ground away from the house. Install channels or sub-surface drains and discharge into a stormwater drain or soak pit

remove anything that is stored under the house and blocking free movement of air

lay polythene sheeting at least 0.25 mm thick to cover the ground under the house. Ensure that the ground is shaped so no water accumulates on top of the polythene. Polythene sheets should be lapped 150 mm, and tightly butted up to foundation walls and piles. Weigh down the sheets with bricks or concrete

remove anything outside the house perimeter such as raised garden beds or dense planting that is blocking subfloor ventilation

remove paint or plaster that may be restricting air flow through the vents

once the source of the moisture has been identified and repairs completed, remove all loose paint, clean the cladding surface and allow to dry thoroughly

paint with a minimum two coats of good quality acrylic paint

with EIFS cladding that has been recently installed, contact the installers. There may be particular maintenance/repair requirements that must be met for any warranties to remain valid. There may be restrictions on what the homeowner can do