PRINCIPLES
Conservation is a process of caring for heritage properties through a variety of means - maintenance, preservation, restoration, reconstruction or adaptation. Each approach is different but the overall aim is to protect the heritage values of the property.

The history of a place is revealed by its construction materials and diversity; these show the changes over time and reveal the traditions of craftsmanship. Often these elements indicate the cultural significance of a place - the important aspects we wish to keep.

It is accepted conservation philosophy that 'reconstruction is appropriate ... where a place is incomplete through damage or alteration and where it is necessary for its survival, or where it reveals the cultural significance of the place as a whole. (The Burra Charter - Australia ICOMOS)

When storm damaged materials are replaced with dissimilar materials, it can often decrease the heritage significance of a place. Reconstruction should reproduce the materials that existed in the building or place.

The Trust encourages the retention of the original fabric of a place and replacement with similar materials in order to complement and enhance the structure as a whole. The National Trust is supportive of all efforts to conserve traditional trades, techniques and skills, which are often an integral part of the repair of traditional structures.

Protection during and after a storm is essential to limit damage to interiors and to secure the building from loss of important architectural elements or features. Collect damaged elements for repair or reuse.

REPAIR
Repair following storm damage must be carried out as quickly as possible, in a manner that does not result in the loss of historic materials and the cultural significance of the place. Each individual situation needs to be carefully considered.

The Trust supports the following general repair principles:

• Wherever possible the original materials should be repaired and reused.
• Where new material is necessary, the replacement materials should match the original as much as possible. A piece of the original material should be retained to ensure that replacement materials match the original.
• Replacement of traditional details should be to an earlier known form, or if not known, a typical or sympathetic form.
• Where materials and other building elements have to be entirely replaced, it is important to retain samples of the original fabric within the structure of the place, such as in the roof space, or under the floor.
• Date stamping of reproduced elements on highly significant buildings.

CHANGE
In the following circumstances it may be appropriate to slightly change the detail or materials of any new work:

• where materials are no longer available
• where the original materials were unsuitable for their chosen use.

This is detailed within this guide...

ROOFS
Roofing materials are often the most damaged in any storm. Each material has varying tolerances for damage in differing storm situations. Since European settlement in Australia, a wide number of roofing materials have been used: Shingles, shakes, slate, iron tiles, corrugated iron and terracotta tiles to name just a few. A number of ridging materials, such as terracotta, lead, iron, copper have also been used.

The aesthetic appearance of many urban areas is derived from either a consistency of roofing materials or a pattern of diversity. Where there is diversity, there are usually distinct characteristics resulting from a limited period of development. The use of materials to match the original will retain this quality, and the replacement with different or more contemporary materials can mean a significant downgrading of the appearance of the urban landscape. Changing the roofing material changes the texture of the roof.

TILES
From about the 1880s, interlocked terracotta Marseilles tiles became a popular roofing material. This material reached its height in popularity during the Federation period, and is typically used on a complicated roof form and finished with with terracotta finials, ridge crestings and chimney pots. Since that time clay, concrete and fibre cement roof tiles have become widely used roofing materials.

    The Trust recommends:

• the reuse of undamaged material in the repair
• matching replacement tiles and finishing elements with the existing.

Where it is not possible to match the tiles, the Trust recommends:

• the restoration of the most important slopes with original tiles and the use of other tiles on other slopes.

SHINGLES
The earliest roofs in Australia were usually bark or shingles. Timber shingles tended to be split, with casuarina being the preferred timber species. Sawn shingles have also been used, but generally for vertical surfaces rather than roofs. Shingles have a limited life span because of their tendency to weather; they can last approximately 25 to 30 years, depending on the climate and method of construction.

In cases of existing shingle roofs, not covered by more recent roofing materials, the Trust encourages:

• the repair and replacement of shingles to match the existing in timber type, size, and construction. However, the Trust is aware that because of the limited life span of such materials, it may not be appropriate to replace these materials with similar materials.

Where examples of shingles or bark are found underneath corrugated galvanised iron, the Trust recommends:

• replacement of the corrugated iron
• retention of the earlier material
• where new battens are required, that they be additional to earlier material
• minimal disturbance of the original materials in the repair or reinforcement of roof structure.

Timber shingles under corrugated iron provide excellent insulation.

SLATE
Since the 1830s, imported slates have been used as a roofing material. From the 1840s, Australian slate was also available. This material often represented high quality craftsmanship and prestige. Slate ages very well and develops an attractive patina over time. The architectural style of many buildings is complemented by the low profile and colour of slate roofs. Depending on the quality of the material, slate roofs can last for a long time with only minor repairs necessary.

The Trust recognises that slate roofs may cost more to maintain and repair. However, once soundly fixed, they are very durable and therefore can last a long time.

The Trust recommends:

• the retention of slate roofs because the character and significance of a building with slate roofs will be severely diminished by replacement with other materials.

Where it is not possible to match the slates, the Trust supports:

• the re-fixing of original slates rather than replacement
• restoration of the most visible and important slopes with original slates and the use of other slates (new or second hand) on other slopes
• the use of reproduction slate roofing on less visible slopes
• the use of the appropriate slate nails.

GALVANISED IRON
Corrugated galvanised iron is one of the most widely used roofing materials in Australia. Galvanised iron acquires a significant patina as it ages, and has the ability to be readily shaped and repaired. Once it became readily available (after the 1840s), it was often placed directly over earlier forms of roofing, such as shingles or bark. This material was originally available in 8 foot lengths.

The National Trust supports:

• the repair, re-rolling and reuse of existing corrugated galvanised iron. This is because it is preferable to retain as much original fabric as possible
• the use of new corrugated galvanised iron to replace the original material
• sheets of the same length and finished in the same manner as the original
• the treatment of rusting galvanized iron using rust converting and galvanising paints.

The Trust discourages:

• the use of other contemporary products such as zincalume or colorbond, because they tend not to possess the distinctive visual and performance characteristics of galvanised corrugated iron, nor the same construction methods. Sometimes they are inappropriate with particular old materials because of chemical properties, leading to rapid corrosion of joints, gutters and downpipes. For example, copper materials corrode zinc.

WINDOWS AND DOORS
Traditional joinery details are very important as they reflect different periods and styles very clearly.

The Trust supports:

• protection of historic glass with tape or masonite during the storm
• the repair of traditional windows and doors rather than replacement
• the repair of other joinery items, such as finials, brackets, bargeboards rather than replacement
• where replacement is necessary, then the joinery should appear to match the original.

GUTTERING AND DOWNPIPES
The earliest structures in Australia tended to have neither gutters nor down pipes, and this seems to have continued in a large number of buildings until the mid 19th century. Cast iron half round and ogee pattern gutters were probably the first used, with later lead, copper, timber and box and secret gutters being used in later years. From about 1840, galvanised gutters were most commonly used.

Downpipes and other rain water goods were generally made from cast iron, galvanised iron, lead, or copper.

The Trust recommends:

• the reuse of undamaged original material in the repair of guttering and downpipes
• the repair and replacement of damaged gutters, down pipes, and rainwater heads in a form and material to match existing. A small change in the profile of gutters and downpipes (usually from round to rectangular) has a major effect on the traditional appearance of a building, which is usually very obvious and should be avoided
• Changing roofing materials can lead to the necessity of changing the existing rainwater goods.

LANDSCAPE ELEMENTS
Landscape elements associated with buildings are also important contributing factors to the cultural significance of a place. These include fences, paths, driveways and landscaping. They generally provide an important setting for a significant place.

The Trust supports:

• the repair or reconstruction of these elements
• the replacement of highly significant elements
• careful assessment of storm-damaged trees and plantings before recommending removal.

PREVENTION
while a storm can strike at any time, many parts of NSW would be more likely to suffer storms between October and April. There are a number of preventative measures to reduce the risk of damage to property.

The Trust recommends:

• Make sure that roofs, gutters and downpipes are clean and in good condition
• Remove loose objects from outdoor areas.
• Trim any trees that are near the buildings
• Keeping a list of emergency contact numbers handy.

CONCLUSION
The National Trust of Australia (NSW) provides this information as a guide only and reiterates that each individual situation has to be carefully considered.

The general principles remain for all repair of damage to heritage items:

• Prevent further loss or damage after a storm. by providing interim protection and security
• retain as much of the original fabric as possible
• replace the original material with matching materials of the same detail and design
• new material should be recognisable as such, but not so different that it greatly diminishes the heritage significance of a place
• reconstruction should only be done where the detail of the original is known
• repair following storm damage must be carried out as quickly as possible, but should also be repaired in a manner that does not detract from the cultural significance of the place
• seek expert advice if necessary or in doubt and use experienced builders. Ask questions to assess their understanding of heritage approaches and ask to see examples of their work
• always obtain a written Scope of Works and Schedule for conservation repairs, listing materials and methods, before entering into a contract.

Further advice is available from The National Trust of Australia (NSW) on ph: (02) 9258 0123, or the Heritage Advisor to your local Council. More detailed information can be sought via a recognised heritage consultant, and a list of such consultants is available from the Heritage Office of NSW on ph: (02) 9873 8500

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lucas, C., Conservation and Restoration of Buildings: Conservation of Roofs, ACNT, Canberra, 1984.
Lucas, C., Conservation and Restoration of Buildings: Philosophy and Approach, ACNT, Canberra, 1978.
Lucas, C., Conservation and Restoration of Buildings: Preservation of Masonry Walls, ACNT, Canberra, 1982.
Marquis-Kyle, P. & Walker, M., The Illustrated Burra Charter, Australia ICOMOS Inc., .1992.
NSW Department of Planning, Getting the Details Right: Restoring Australian Houses 1890s-1920s, Flannel Flower Press, Yeronga, 1995.
Stapleton, I., How to Restore the Old Aussie House, Flannel Flower Press, Yeronga, 1993.
State Emergency Service, Preparing your home against Severe Storms, pamphlet, n.d.